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.
Staring at a blue lined page,
Trying to find the answers in ink.
What would I ever leave behind,
If I was to die today?
I'm strong enough to say,
That I have plenty of regrets,
And maybe I will never change,
My whole life will be a waste.
What did I do with the years,
Now that I'm pushing 23.
And I still can't tell the difference,
between the right and the wrong thing.
How did I get so fucking good,
At hurting everyone I love?
Is that all I'll be remembered for?
I'm tired of writing sad songs,
But that's all that I have left.
'Cause it's the things that I reflect on,
That make me who I am.
It happened again,
Restless in my sleep.
You woke me from a dream,
To say I'm not like my old man.
And maybe that's what I'm so cared of,
That I'll be no different.
I'll bring someone in to this life,
And leave a scar they won't forget.
I ran my thumb over the faces in,
My old class photo.
We were so innocent back then,
If only I had known.
All those smiles staring back at me,
Where the fuck did they all go?
What I would do for a clear conscience again,
To swallow the lump that's in my throat.
And the first time we drove past,
Penfold State Forest,
I felt the weight of another life,
Leave my back finally.
The scar they won’t forget
Trying to find the answers in ink.
What would I ever leave behind,
If I was to die today?
I'm strong enough to say,
That I have plenty of regrets,
And maybe I will never change,
My whole life will be a waste.
What did I do with the years,
Now that I'm pushing 23.
And I still can't tell the difference,
between the right and the wrong thing.
How did I get so fucking good,
At hurting everyone I love?
Is that all I'll be remembered for?
I'm tired of writing sad songs,
But that's all that I have left.
'Cause it's the things that I reflect on,
That make me who I am.
It happened again,
Restless in my sleep.
You woke me from a dream,
To say I'm not like my old man.
And maybe that's what I'm so cared of,
That I'll be no different.
I'll bring someone in to this life,
And leave a scar they won't forget.
I ran my thumb over the faces in,
My old class photo.
We were so innocent back then,
If only I had known.
All those smiles staring back at me,
Where the fuck did they all go?
What I would do for a clear conscience again,
To swallow the lump that's in my throat.
And the first time we drove past,
Penfold State Forest,
I felt the weight of another life,
Leave my back finally.
The scar they won’t forget
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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