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 are the first thing i see
when i open my eyes (when i wake from a dream)
you're the light through a rip in the seams
burst forth from the night on to dust as it gleams
but with the morning sun we also see
blurry shapes appear so gradually
i'm so afraid to feel this way again,
but i let you in
love is the loudest of sounds
it's the hymn in the air (it's the dirge from the ground)
you've got a hold over me
until my world disappears and you're all i see
but in solitude we're often chased
by the truths we are afraid to face
and it takes more than just a fleeting dream
to set us free
like how i tried to skip a sinking stone,
just to watch how long that it could go
i'm so afraid to fall in love again
i know how it ends
and if i try and skip a sinking stone
maybe it'll be the one that goes
forever as it starts its flight
towards the horizon line
when i open my eyes (when i wake from a dream)
you're the light through a rip in the seams
burst forth from the night on to dust as it gleams
but with the morning sun we also see
blurry shapes appear so gradually
i'm so afraid to feel this way again,
but i let you in
love is the loudest of sounds
it's the hymn in the air (it's the dirge from the ground)
you've got a hold over me
until my world disappears and you're all i see
but in solitude we're often chased
by the truths we are afraid to face
and it takes more than just a fleeting dream
to set us free
like how i tried to skip a sinking stone,
just to watch how long that it could go
i'm so afraid to fall in love again
i know how it ends
and if i try and skip a sinking stone
maybe it'll be the one that goes
forever as it starts its flight
towards the horizon line
Lyrics submitted by drawrof, edited by mezzopiano
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.