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.
A burning plane as its going down the last scream before it hits the ground
A lost ship on a raging sea a blinking distress signal of emergency
A run away train careening off the tracks the last breath before a heart attack
The earthquake as it shakes your room promising falling skies in impending doom
One chance you feel it before you meet with your destiny
One chance you need it to com to terms with mortality
All thats important to me
Everything inside of me
All that's trivial will fade and soon recede you will see when on a date with destiny
Look in the jaws of your own demise watch your life pass before your eyes
Did you live like a dream come true or did you just survive?
Did you do all you could do?
In a fall from a burning tower
What would you do with just one more hour?
Live that hour out everyday
Like it was your last you'll live much better that way
You're on a date with destiny
A lost ship on a raging sea a blinking distress signal of emergency
A run away train careening off the tracks the last breath before a heart attack
The earthquake as it shakes your room promising falling skies in impending doom
One chance you feel it before you meet with your destiny
One chance you need it to com to terms with mortality
All thats important to me
Everything inside of me
All that's trivial will fade and soon recede you will see when on a date with destiny
Look in the jaws of your own demise watch your life pass before your eyes
Did you live like a dream come true or did you just survive?
Did you do all you could do?
In a fall from a burning tower
What would you do with just one more hour?
Live that hour out everyday
Like it was your last you'll live much better that way
You're on a date with destiny
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Date With Destiny Lyrics as written by Fletcher Douglas Dragge Byron C. Mcmackin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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live your life to the fullest. i love the lyrics to the first verse. great poetry.