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.
In hell I'll be lost in the layers of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Strugglin', strugglin', strugglin'
Brainwashed with the
Hallucinagenics in my system
Like, I'm trippin'
Many switch in
Switch on, switch off
Here I'm lost
I'm lost
In the name of weakness
Brainwashed
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Exhausted by the mundane
Simplicity no longer plain
Strugglin', strugglin'
Strugglin', strugglin' with the insane
I'm strugglin'
Strugglin' with the insane
Feels like I'm trippin', skippin'
Hallucinagenics in my system
Like I'm trippin', skippin'
They say I'm insane
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
Darkness and warmth
Obvious and mysterious
Magical colors
Mystical shadows
Mystical shadows
Thought with no meaning
They say I'm insane
Label me insane
But I'm more normal than most
But I'm more normal than most
Strugglin' so hard
I just need to remain
(?)
'cause I'm strugglin'
To remain
I know I'm the truth
'cause we are the truth
See what we want to see
Please, please tell me what I want to hear
Hear what we want to hear
Strugglin' so hard
I'm strugglin'
I took a ride, yeah
Roll with the bullets to survive, to survive, to survive
Self preservation
Roll with the bullets
Just to survive
Self preservation
Self preservation
Keeps the crowd alive
Keeps the crowd alive
Strugglin', strugglin'
They, they say I'm insane
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
They say I'm insane
Strugglin'
I'm more normal than most
Strugglin'
I'm just strugglin'
Strugglin'
Mystical shadows
Strugglin'
Mysterious, the obvious
Strugglin'
They say I'm insane, I'm strugglin'
Strugglin'
Switch in, switch on, switch off
I'm lost in contradiction
Feed me my visuals
A flashback, a flashback from way back
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
Do you know what its like to struggle?
Do you, do you, have you, have you ever had to struggle?
Strugglin', strugglin'
Roll with the bullets to survive
Strugglin', strugglin', strugglin' to remain
They label me insane
But I'm, I'm, I think I'm more normal than most
Strugglin' with the remains
Brainwashed with the cheapest
And if pain makes me stronger
Then how am I stronger?
There's a fate for the late
But the late must wait longer
Strugglin', strugglin'
Roll with the bullets to survive
Self preservation keeps the crowd alive
Strugglin'
In hell I'll be lost in the lairs of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
In hell I'll be lost in the lairs of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Exhausted with the mundane
Simplicity means no longer plain
Strugglin' with the insane
Darkness and warmth
The obvious and mysterious
Magical colors, mystical shadows
Half thought with no meaning
They label me insane
They label me insane
They label me insane
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Strugglin', strugglin', strugglin'
Brainwashed with the
Hallucinagenics in my system
Like, I'm trippin'
Many switch in
Switch on, switch off
Here I'm lost
I'm lost
In the name of weakness
Brainwashed
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Exhausted by the mundane
Simplicity no longer plain
Strugglin', strugglin'
Strugglin', strugglin' with the insane
I'm strugglin'
Strugglin' with the insane
Feels like I'm trippin', skippin'
Hallucinagenics in my system
Like I'm trippin', skippin'
They say I'm insane
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
Darkness and warmth
Obvious and mysterious
Magical colors
Mystical shadows
Mystical shadows
Thought with no meaning
They say I'm insane
Label me insane
But I'm more normal than most
But I'm more normal than most
Strugglin' so hard
I just need to remain
(?)
'cause I'm strugglin'
To remain
I know I'm the truth
'cause we are the truth
See what we want to see
Please, please tell me what I want to hear
Hear what we want to hear
Strugglin' so hard
I'm strugglin'
I took a ride, yeah
Roll with the bullets to survive, to survive, to survive
Self preservation
Roll with the bullets
Just to survive
Self preservation
Self preservation
Keeps the crowd alive
Keeps the crowd alive
Strugglin', strugglin'
They, they say I'm insane
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
They say I'm insane
Strugglin'
I'm more normal than most
Strugglin'
I'm just strugglin'
Strugglin'
Mystical shadows
Strugglin'
Mysterious, the obvious
Strugglin'
They say I'm insane, I'm strugglin'
Strugglin'
Switch in, switch on, switch off
I'm lost in contradiction
Feed me my visuals
A flashback, a flashback from way back
I'm strugglin', strugglin'
Do you know what its like to struggle?
Do you, do you, have you, have you ever had to struggle?
Strugglin', strugglin'
Roll with the bullets to survive
Strugglin', strugglin', strugglin' to remain
They label me insane
But I'm, I'm, I think I'm more normal than most
Strugglin' with the remains
Brainwashed with the cheapest
And if pain makes me stronger
Then how am I stronger?
There's a fate for the late
But the late must wait longer
Strugglin', strugglin'
Roll with the bullets to survive
Self preservation keeps the crowd alive
Strugglin'
In hell I'll be lost in the lairs of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
In hell I'll be lost in the lairs of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Exhausted with the mundane
Simplicity means no longer plain
Strugglin' with the insane
Darkness and warmth
The obvious and mysterious
Magical colors, mystical shadows
Half thought with no meaning
They label me insane
They label me insane
They label me insane
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I for one immediately fell in love with this track. And most of this album, for that matter.