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.
Receive
Receive - the revelation beaten on a skin drum
Using instruments of bone
Sheens gone, so tune in
Feel the drone
To writhe
To writhe - to a rhythm with the blank eyed primitives
Suffer the fire ritual
Sheens gone, so tune in
Feel the drone
Another noise in my head
Writhe
Look up
Head up when the transmitters ready for the signal
To invoke the sun gods
Receive - the revelation beaten on a skin drum
Using instruments of bone
Sheens gone, so tune in
Feel the drone
To writhe
To writhe - to a rhythm with the blank eyed primitives
Suffer the fire ritual
Sheens gone, so tune in
Feel the drone
Another noise in my head
Writhe
Look up
Head up when the transmitters ready for the signal
To invoke the sun gods
Lyrics submitted by Psychedeliasmith
Off Kilter Lyrics as written by Karl Louis Edwin Middleton Simon Edward Hutchby
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
As I listen to this song, I imagine something normal in everyday life, like a tree, and then I look beyond it in a revelation of how it looks thousands of years from now. I was walking in the park one day listening to this album when I saw a bench with grass green nature around it, and then I imagined the bench with an austere setting of cracked soil and dying nature. I have no idea why I thought this at first because I was just listening to the music, not the lyrics. But I think it relates in a way: "Sheens gone, so tune in. Feel the drone" seems like the reality in from of you is abstracted and all that stands is some sort of dark setting. "To invoke the sun gods" seems like the darkness is too much and they want to call on for the sun. Maybe "suffer the fire ritual" is a metaphor for the burning of plants.
Yeah, I know. I'm weird. This is just what this song means to me.