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.
You and I
Could be entwined in love for the rest of our lives
And yet I can't begin
To utter words of my affection within (to you)
But love always finds a way to speak out
I'll write the words I can't form with my mouth
And I'll wait for you to change your mind
And to find - find the love you keep inside
I'll write you these letters that speak straight from my heart
I'll tell you my secrets and share all my dreams with you
But love is lost on you, as it seems
So I try to move on, but still
Your familiar face lingers around
You should be
Composing symphonies of love with me
And yet it's he and not me
This world was meant for only two and not three (two, not three)
I suppose it isn't your fault you don't care (not your fault you don't care)
'Cause no one said that this life would be fair
But when you scatter these letters across my heart ('cross his heart)
You leave (him) - leave me with a burning scar
I wrote you these letters that spoke straight from my heart
I told you my secrets and shared all my dreams with you
But love is meaningless, as it seems
So I try to move on, but still
Your familiar face lingers around
You will never understand what
It is like to be torn down and forgot
To live life ever needing what
Will forever be outside of your clutch
You have left me alone with my mind
You have left me to discover my sinister side
But still, your familiar face lingers around...
Could be entwined in love for the rest of our lives
And yet I can't begin
To utter words of my affection within (to you)
But love always finds a way to speak out
I'll write the words I can't form with my mouth
And I'll wait for you to change your mind
And to find - find the love you keep inside
I'll write you these letters that speak straight from my heart
I'll tell you my secrets and share all my dreams with you
But love is lost on you, as it seems
So I try to move on, but still
Your familiar face lingers around
You should be
Composing symphonies of love with me
And yet it's he and not me
This world was meant for only two and not three (two, not three)
I suppose it isn't your fault you don't care (not your fault you don't care)
'Cause no one said that this life would be fair
But when you scatter these letters across my heart ('cross his heart)
You leave (him) - leave me with a burning scar
I wrote you these letters that spoke straight from my heart
I told you my secrets and shared all my dreams with you
But love is meaningless, as it seems
So I try to move on, but still
Your familiar face lingers around
You will never understand what
It is like to be torn down and forgot
To live life ever needing what
Will forever be outside of your clutch
You have left me alone with my mind
You have left me to discover my sinister side
But still, your familiar face lingers around...
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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"Your Familiar Face," which steps out of this world for a moment to give a closer look at the events prior to the first track and the tragedy of Sinister Silence."
Tells the story of a man in love with a woman, who is already in a relationship.
That doesn't deter the teller though, they are sure that the woman will eventually realise that he is best for her (not her current beau).
However about 3 minutes in the tone of song (music and lyrics) take a turn, where he has been rejected by her ... and he is left to discover his "sinister side" (which becomes his nickname that the people in his imagined world give him "Sinister Silence").
There are also clues throughout that he is mute ... but I feel that the story told is one that people can relate to without the actual album's concept. Personally I was involved in a relationship where I got really close to my best friends girl (we actually loved each other ... but never did anything about it, in essence we both remained "mute" about our love).