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.
I never ever can remember
All the things that go bump in the night
Quietness uncovers
Betrayal now hovers
And my comfort levels not quite right
I'd love to stay and evaluate
But my torture can't wait
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
I never can decipher
Who listens to the words I say
While I sense I'm searching
I never know who's lurking
To scare my sacred thought away
I'd love to hang and chat a while
But my minds become vile
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
I never can contribute
To finding all the faults that sustain
Never mind the answers
To who spreads the cancer
When the questioning of why remains
I'd love to sit and rationalize
But my tongues become dry
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
Breakdown reality
Breakdown my ability to get it back
Breakdown honesty
Breakdown now deliver me
From all this madness and all this agony
All the things that go bump in the night
Quietness uncovers
Betrayal now hovers
And my comfort levels not quite right
I'd love to stay and evaluate
But my torture can't wait
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
I never can decipher
Who listens to the words I say
While I sense I'm searching
I never know who's lurking
To scare my sacred thought away
I'd love to hang and chat a while
But my minds become vile
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
I never can contribute
To finding all the faults that sustain
Never mind the answers
To who spreads the cancer
When the questioning of why remains
I'd love to sit and rationalize
But my tongues become dry
It seems I'm losing ground
Welcome all to my disciplined breakdown
Breakdown reality
Breakdown my ability to get it back
Breakdown honesty
Breakdown now deliver me
From all this madness and all this agony
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Disciplined Breakdown Lyrics as written by Ed Roland
Lyrics © KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@stixx_n_strings lol I know that was 11 years ago, but "fast and hard?" Anyways, yeah I agree, but it's so much deeper than that, and such an awesome song! In my top 5 fav collective soul songs. I believe it's referring to a pattern, more than just one case, and not necessarily losing it. More like a constant struggle with dealing with the things/ppl in his life, that cause him to backtrack. A spiritual battle of sorts, taking Ed's background, other song lyrics, and the last line of the song into account.