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.
The second hand looks like a knife
As it's counting down the rest of our lives
So hard to swallow
No steps to follow
It became so hard to survive
Dear Youth
What was your one big plan?
You made us believe we had the world in our hands
We left home with nowhere to go
Facing our fears as we brave the unknown
All I have to keep are these jaded old memories
From screams of how it used to be
I once was blind
But now I can see
That words of rationality
Were wasted on me
So I said goodbye
It's just a memory that hasn't come to be
But I recognize
That if you're on the right track
But catch the wrong train
Nothing ends the same
Dear Youth
What was your one big plan?
You made us believe we had the world in our hands
We left home with nowhere to go
Facing our fears as we brave the unknown
Dear Youth
Put back those thoughts in my head
The ones where I believe that I am boundless again
I know we're at the end of the road
This is our story
This was our home
We were unbreakable
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
As it's counting down the rest of our lives
So hard to swallow
No steps to follow
It became so hard to survive
Dear Youth
What was your one big plan?
You made us believe we had the world in our hands
We left home with nowhere to go
Facing our fears as we brave the unknown
All I have to keep are these jaded old memories
From screams of how it used to be
I once was blind
But now I can see
That words of rationality
Were wasted on me
So I said goodbye
It's just a memory that hasn't come to be
But I recognize
That if you're on the right track
But catch the wrong train
Nothing ends the same
Dear Youth
What was your one big plan?
You made us believe we had the world in our hands
We left home with nowhere to go
Facing our fears as we brave the unknown
Dear Youth
Put back those thoughts in my head
The ones where I believe that I am boundless again
I know we're at the end of the road
This is our story
This was our home
We were unbreakable
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
The days are shrinking
Alive and well
Each moment more fleeting
Alive and well
We gave our best
Alive and well
You know the rest
Alive and well
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.