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.
If you've got a picture of your face
Could you leave it on your way out the door
I don't care if it's color or black or white
I just need something to remember you by
Oh, before my life went dim
Oh, before my life went dim
No one told me the trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
I painted half my face green
Don't you know I painted half my face blue
In hopes of showing you
Both sides of me, both sides of me
I guess it came down to
Don't you love me, don't you love me
Oh, before my life went dim
Before my life went dim
No one told me the trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
Can't this car go any faster
Can't this car go any faster
Can't this car go any faster
Faster, faster
Can't this car go cause I can still see where I am
Oh, before my life went dim
Oh, before my life
Before my life went dim
You should have told me
The trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
Could you leave it on your way out the door
I don't care if it's color or black or white
I just need something to remember you by
Oh, before my life went dim
Oh, before my life went dim
No one told me the trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
I painted half my face green
Don't you know I painted half my face blue
In hopes of showing you
Both sides of me, both sides of me
I guess it came down to
Don't you love me, don't you love me
Oh, before my life went dim
Before my life went dim
No one told me the trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
Can't this car go any faster
Can't this car go any faster
Can't this car go any faster
Faster, faster
Can't this car go cause I can still see where I am
Oh, before my life went dim
Oh, before my life
Before my life went dim
You should have told me
The trouble I was in
Before my life went dim
Lyrics submitted by rabidpenguin
Dim Lyrics as written by Michael Gurley Joie Calio
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Joie Calio told me personally that Dim refers to some European brand men's underwear that he saw in Europe when Dada was in Europe to record their first record for IRS. True story, no lie.
Not that I think the song is about underwear, but inspiration comes from unlikely sources and maybe the word Dim fit, but the song seems more like about relationships.