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.
What's it been? Over a decade?
It still smarts like it was four minutes ago
We only influenced each other, totally
We only bruised each other, even more so
What are you, my blood?
You touch me like you are my blood
What are you, my dad?
You affect me like you are my dad
How long can a girl be shackled to you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl stay haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Where've you been? I heard you moved to my city
My brother saw you somewhere downtown
I'd be paralyzed if I ran into you
My tongue would seize up if we were to meet again
What are you, my God?
You touch me like you are my God
What are you, my twin?
You affect me like you are my twin
How long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
So here I am, one room away from where I know you're standing
A well-intentioned man told me you just walked in
This man knows not of how this information has affected me
But he knows the color of the car I just drove away in
What are you, my kin?
You touch me like you are my kin
What are you, my air?
You affect me like you are my air
And how long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
It still smarts like it was four minutes ago
We only influenced each other, totally
We only bruised each other, even more so
What are you, my blood?
You touch me like you are my blood
What are you, my dad?
You affect me like you are my dad
How long can a girl be shackled to you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl stay haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Where've you been? I heard you moved to my city
My brother saw you somewhere downtown
I'd be paralyzed if I ran into you
My tongue would seize up if we were to meet again
What are you, my God?
You touch me like you are my God
What are you, my twin?
You affect me like you are my twin
How long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
So here I am, one room away from where I know you're standing
A well-intentioned man told me you just walked in
This man knows not of how this information has affected me
But he knows the color of the car I just drove away in
What are you, my kin?
You touch me like you are my kin
What are you, my air?
You affect me like you are my air
And how long can a girl be tortured by you?
And how long before my dignity is reclaimed?
And how long can a girl be haunted by you?
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
Soon I'll grow up and I won't even flinch at your name
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she's talking about a guy that's affected her like no other. she never got over him, and doesn't feel she ever will. no matter how long it was stuff happened between them, it still only feels like yesterday to her. she doesn't want to see him again, because of how she will feel...