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.
I'm walking downtown to a friend's house in a basement
He's feeling trapped and so am I, we'll help each other through the night
These days I've been losing track of space and time and what I am
I've been living in a bunkhouse down by the water
Remember how we used to talk on those nights on your rooftop
You said: gotta give up all the things you love, gotta get up when the morning comes
You hoped one day we would sail away past the fury of the days
You got scared and you went down and the medecine took your pain away
Now the streets are filled with dust and fears
The wind is cold and so are my feet
And all the people look the same to me
When the cars go by I keep shivering
I'm losing you
Now my mind is racing, dawn is breaking,
Charlie said 'it's just a slow day moving into a slow night'
Oh how I wish I could change my mind and throw all my doubts away
Cause if I really don't need you, maybe I can help you out
Walk a block and feel the wine
Keep walking 'till there's no one around
A reflection in a window pane
And a crazy thought again and again
I'm losing you
He's feeling trapped and so am I, we'll help each other through the night
These days I've been losing track of space and time and what I am
I've been living in a bunkhouse down by the water
Remember how we used to talk on those nights on your rooftop
You said: gotta give up all the things you love, gotta get up when the morning comes
You hoped one day we would sail away past the fury of the days
You got scared and you went down and the medecine took your pain away
Now the streets are filled with dust and fears
The wind is cold and so are my feet
And all the people look the same to me
When the cars go by I keep shivering
I'm losing you
Now my mind is racing, dawn is breaking,
Charlie said 'it's just a slow day moving into a slow night'
Oh how I wish I could change my mind and throw all my doubts away
Cause if I really don't need you, maybe I can help you out
Walk a block and feel the wine
Keep walking 'till there's no one around
A reflection in a window pane
And a crazy thought again and again
I'm losing you
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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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