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.
(Every breath that I exhale is a sigh
Every breath that I exhale is a sigh of exhaustion)
How sad
And this is what your life has been reduced to -
A single room apartment containing no more than a mattress
How sad when the strings have been removed from the blinds
And all the outlets have been painted over
And the television screen is streaked with blood and smeared from your knuckles
As if you were trying to punch it out but you underestimated the strength
Or maybe you just weren't trying hard enough
Startled by a knock at the door, you'll rise for the first time in two days to answer
But you can only greet the visitor with one short statement :
"Hello, my first name is Distance and I really don't care if I never wake up again"
Every breath that I exhale is a sigh of exhaustion)
How sad
And this is what your life has been reduced to -
A single room apartment containing no more than a mattress
How sad when the strings have been removed from the blinds
And all the outlets have been painted over
And the television screen is streaked with blood and smeared from your knuckles
As if you were trying to punch it out but you underestimated the strength
Or maybe you just weren't trying hard enough
Startled by a knock at the door, you'll rise for the first time in two days to answer
But you can only greet the visitor with one short statement :
"Hello, my first name is Distance and I really don't care if I never wake up again"
Lyrics submitted by SkyBluToo
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