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.
Walking outside labyrinthian over cracks along under the trees
I know this town grounded in a compass
Cardinal landed in the dogwood
Keep going over it over and over
My steps, iterate my shame
How come every outcome's such a come down
Late in the afternoon with the shades drawn down
I kept saying I just wanted to see you
Saying whats wrong with that
Needle shaking outlines in a compass
Every outcome's such a comedown
I knew it when I saw it
So I did just what I wanted
So I go through with it
I knew happiness when I saw it
I saw your boyfriend at the Port Authority
Sort of a fucked up place
Well, so I averted my stride on a quick one
He's coming back from going over your place, huh
I feel like we could forget about it
I feel like I could mellow out
I don't feel undone in a big way
There's nothing really bad to be upset about
When I thought I was getting better
I woke up on the ground and
Appointment or a disappointment
Any outcome's such a comedown
As if I needed a reminder
Oh I do only what I want to
So I go through with this
Walking out in the nighttime springtime
Needling my way home
I saw Leah on the bus a few months ago
Saw some old friends at her funeral
My steps keep splitting my grief
through these solipsistic moods
I should call my parents when I think of them
Should tell my friends when I love them
Maybe I should've gone out a bit more
When you guys were still in town
I got too caught up in my own shit
That's how every outcome's such a comedown
I knew it when I saw it
Oh I did just what I wanted
So I go through with this
I knew happiness when I saw it
I know this town grounded in a compass
Cardinal landed in the dogwood
Keep going over it over and over
My steps, iterate my shame
How come every outcome's such a come down
Late in the afternoon with the shades drawn down
I kept saying I just wanted to see you
Saying whats wrong with that
Needle shaking outlines in a compass
Every outcome's such a comedown
I knew it when I saw it
So I did just what I wanted
So I go through with it
I knew happiness when I saw it
I saw your boyfriend at the Port Authority
Sort of a fucked up place
Well, so I averted my stride on a quick one
He's coming back from going over your place, huh
I feel like we could forget about it
I feel like I could mellow out
I don't feel undone in a big way
There's nothing really bad to be upset about
When I thought I was getting better
I woke up on the ground and
Appointment or a disappointment
Any outcome's such a comedown
As if I needed a reminder
Oh I do only what I want to
So I go through with this
Walking out in the nighttime springtime
Needling my way home
I saw Leah on the bus a few months ago
Saw some old friends at her funeral
My steps keep splitting my grief
through these solipsistic moods
I should call my parents when I think of them
Should tell my friends when I love them
Maybe I should've gone out a bit more
When you guys were still in town
I got too caught up in my own shit
That's how every outcome's such a comedown
I knew it when I saw it
Oh I did just what I wanted
So I go through with this
I knew happiness when I saw it
Lyrics submitted by getthoselyricsright
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