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 believe in heaven and know
That I should just except it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
Surely I should see it all
[Chorus]
So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss your soul
And when the distance grows
And the nights are long
And your scared at times
And you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss your soul
I've looked into the sky one hundred times
And I've seen the stars that shine so bright
And I'm sure that one of them is you, my friend
Watching and waiting and hoping that
I'll be alright
[Chorus]
I believe in heaven and know
That I should just except it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
Surely, surely, surely I should see it all
So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss your soul
And when the distance grows
And the nights are long
And your scared at times
And you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss your soul
Take care and don't go too far
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
That I should just except it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
Surely I should see it all
[Chorus]
So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss your soul
And when the distance grows
And the nights are long
And your scared at times
And you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss your soul
I've looked into the sky one hundred times
And I've seen the stars that shine so bright
And I'm sure that one of them is you, my friend
Watching and waiting and hoping that
I'll be alright
[Chorus]
I believe in heaven and know
That I should just except it all
So content with the paths that I walk on
Surely, surely, surely I should see it all
So take care and don't go too far,
I will miss your soul
And when the distance grows
And the nights are long
And your scared at times
And you wonder why
Take care and don't go too far
I will miss your soul
Take care and don't go too far
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
The road back home is shorter than you know
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
this is one of moonpools and caterpilars best songs, this band kicks ass!!