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.
He was seen on the fifteenth floor
Straight up and straight down
He seemed to lean into the wind
And scream like an old bloodhound
Two more inches would do it
Midnight to midday
There was always a crowd
A traffic jam and someone to pray
Heaven above, hold him back
Hold out and hold on
He would say to himself
I'll be bigger than life when I'm gone
Chorus:
He's a legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
There's nothing between him and the pavement
And there's nothing between him and anyone else
Everyday he would try
Two feet up two feet down
Fifteen stories high
Became old familiar ground
Nice view of the river today
Sunrise and sunset
A lady screamed on the street below
He wished she hadn't noticed just yet
Kinda peaceful up here all alone
Hangouting around
Till everyone comes to see
Again they'll all be let down
(Chorus)
Leaned out far today
Too far too close
He closed his eyes and he felt the wind
He could hear the silence of the crowd almost
Fifteen stories is quite a tall tale
Straight up and straight down
The crowd disappeared and the traffic returned
The legend spread quickly through town
He became a legend unto himself
A legend unto himself (x8)
Straight up and straight down
He seemed to lean into the wind
And scream like an old bloodhound
Two more inches would do it
Midnight to midday
There was always a crowd
A traffic jam and someone to pray
Heaven above, hold him back
Hold out and hold on
He would say to himself
I'll be bigger than life when I'm gone
Chorus:
He's a legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
A legend unto himself
There's nothing between him and the pavement
And there's nothing between him and anyone else
Everyday he would try
Two feet up two feet down
Fifteen stories high
Became old familiar ground
Nice view of the river today
Sunrise and sunset
A lady screamed on the street below
He wished she hadn't noticed just yet
Kinda peaceful up here all alone
Hangouting around
Till everyone comes to see
Again they'll all be let down
(Chorus)
Leaned out far today
Too far too close
He closed his eyes and he felt the wind
He could hear the silence of the crowd almost
Fifteen stories is quite a tall tale
Straight up and straight down
The crowd disappeared and the traffic returned
The legend spread quickly through town
He became a legend unto himself
A legend unto himself (x8)
Lyrics submitted by jocelyne
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