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.
Sometimes I just give up trying
It seems like a lifetime
That I've been fighting
It was hard enough
Just getting out of bed today
I'd call someone but what on earth
Would I even say
Here in this airless space
No one to plead your pitiful case
Some call this thing the soul of sadness
Self-indulgence or a brilliant madness
All I know is I dying for air
Swimming just below the waves
I can see the sky
Looking darkly through the haze
The moon is drifting by
Then someone cuts the anchor
And slowly up I rise
An unwelcome guest in your home
That comes to stay and never wants goes
Not some much shadow but visitation
A haunting foreign movie with no translation
There's buzzing white noise in my head
Then sometimes so silent I'm almost dead
One true thing I hold to dear and fast
Is a voice that whispers
"Darlin' this too will pass"
Even when I'm dying for air
Swimming just below the waves
I can see the sky
Looking darkly through the haze
The moon is drifting by
Then someone cuts the anchor
And slowly up I rise
This is just a picture not complaint
Making full sentences
Has never been my strength
Some call this thing the soul of sadness
Self-indulgence or a brilliant madness
All I know is I'm dying for air
All I know is I'm dying for air
It seems like a lifetime
That I've been fighting
It was hard enough
Just getting out of bed today
I'd call someone but what on earth
Would I even say
Here in this airless space
No one to plead your pitiful case
Some call this thing the soul of sadness
Self-indulgence or a brilliant madness
All I know is I dying for air
Swimming just below the waves
I can see the sky
Looking darkly through the haze
The moon is drifting by
Then someone cuts the anchor
And slowly up I rise
An unwelcome guest in your home
That comes to stay and never wants goes
Not some much shadow but visitation
A haunting foreign movie with no translation
There's buzzing white noise in my head
Then sometimes so silent I'm almost dead
One true thing I hold to dear and fast
Is a voice that whispers
"Darlin' this too will pass"
Even when I'm dying for air
Swimming just below the waves
I can see the sky
Looking darkly through the haze
The moon is drifting by
Then someone cuts the anchor
And slowly up I rise
This is just a picture not complaint
Making full sentences
Has never been my strength
Some call this thing the soul of sadness
Self-indulgence or a brilliant madness
All I know is I'm dying for air
All I know is I'm dying for air
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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