The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I was looking for a book that I could lend to Gabe
That would teach him about Dalí
Instead out fell a letter from my first love
The enigmatic melody
It went “…ups and downs…”
“…I’m so glad that I found you…”
“…if something goes wrong
I hope that you’re still around me…”
A welcome home nine years late
Just in time for a ten-year reunion
I don’t have much to say
Except I hope that time heals all wounds
Like “…why won’t she call?”
“…why won’t he leave me alone?”
“…it’s all my fault
And now all hope is lost…”
But it’s not
Oh, time takes a bookmark
And tucks it away until you’re ready
To turn the page
Surreal as it seems
The seams come undone
Sand separates from Sea
And Sky separates from Sun
I was listening to a record that I wrote for you
When I could not remember why
I felt justified to tear you apart tune by tune
When you could never reply
I went “…how could you?”
“…I am the victim…”
“…our love was true
And now it’s ripped asunder…”
I was listening to a love song I sang for you
When I thought about a line
Do all the love songs that once meant so much to me and you
Still haunt you after all this time?
They go “…God only knows…”
“…I may not always love you…”
“…where would I be without you?”
“…I’m so sure about it…” [1]
But I’m not
Oh, time takes a bookmark
And tucks it away until you’re ready
To turn the page
Surreal as it seems
The seams come undone
Sand separates from Sea
And Sky separates from Sun
So I sing this song to Gabe
And think about what remains
Because eventually a love song dies
And eventually so does the pain
But he keeps it alive
And they keep it alive
As long as they care
The love is still there
And even if that’s not true
I’m gonna sing it like is
And even if I don’t love you
I know he will listen to this
But if you keep it alive
Then I’ll keep it alive
As long as we care
The love is still there
But it’s not
Oh, dog-eared and fearful
You’ll get an earful of my story
Until I turn the page
That would teach him about Dalí
Instead out fell a letter from my first love
The enigmatic melody
It went “…ups and downs…”
“…I’m so glad that I found you…”
“…if something goes wrong
I hope that you’re still around me…”
A welcome home nine years late
Just in time for a ten-year reunion
I don’t have much to say
Except I hope that time heals all wounds
Like “…why won’t she call?”
“…why won’t he leave me alone?”
“…it’s all my fault
And now all hope is lost…”
But it’s not
Oh, time takes a bookmark
And tucks it away until you’re ready
To turn the page
Surreal as it seems
The seams come undone
Sand separates from Sea
And Sky separates from Sun
I was listening to a record that I wrote for you
When I could not remember why
I felt justified to tear you apart tune by tune
When you could never reply
I went “…how could you?”
“…I am the victim…”
“…our love was true
And now it’s ripped asunder…”
I was listening to a love song I sang for you
When I thought about a line
Do all the love songs that once meant so much to me and you
Still haunt you after all this time?
They go “…God only knows…”
“…I may not always love you…”
“…where would I be without you?”
“…I’m so sure about it…” [1]
But I’m not
Oh, time takes a bookmark
And tucks it away until you’re ready
To turn the page
Surreal as it seems
The seams come undone
Sand separates from Sea
And Sky separates from Sun
So I sing this song to Gabe
And think about what remains
Because eventually a love song dies
And eventually so does the pain
But he keeps it alive
And they keep it alive
As long as they care
The love is still there
And even if that’s not true
I’m gonna sing it like is
And even if I don’t love you
I know he will listen to this
But if you keep it alive
Then I’ll keep it alive
As long as we care
The love is still there
But it’s not
Oh, dog-eared and fearful
You’ll get an earful of my story
Until I turn the page
Lyrics submitted by JohnnyLurg
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