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.
Love...
was never enough...
Throughout time,
There is some given up.
Will,
kept me standing alone...
If only I could have one dance,
I would move on my own...
In tattered daydreams,
that slip through the night...
I'm a prince, king, warrior...
and I'm doing things right...
But every dayream,
leaves me awake lonely nights,
If I was a bird, just spread my wings...
and take off and fly.
Yea, yea yea yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
So in this dream I walk
With my head held high
Cause here I'll live forever
And never die
I see my soul stright ahead
With his eyes locked on mine
If I should wake, right now..
I'd rather be blind
And in these dreams with love
Together we'd stand
I'm slippin fallin to earthward,
and I can't reach her hand
Yea, yea, yea, yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
My eyes opened wide
And I lost myself
I'm layin here in my bed,
there's no body else
Surrounded by questions, hate, and blood soaked war
I clasp my hands together... and pray,
Ask what it's all for
It's easy for me to slip away
And live on the air
If we'd all just let love live...
We could all meet there
But time has it's way of saying,
It's time to move on
So off to my kingdom I go
Where I feel at home
Yea, yea, yea, yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
was never enough...
Throughout time,
There is some given up.
Will,
kept me standing alone...
If only I could have one dance,
I would move on my own...
In tattered daydreams,
that slip through the night...
I'm a prince, king, warrior...
and I'm doing things right...
But every dayream,
leaves me awake lonely nights,
If I was a bird, just spread my wings...
and take off and fly.
Yea, yea yea yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
So in this dream I walk
With my head held high
Cause here I'll live forever
And never die
I see my soul stright ahead
With his eyes locked on mine
If I should wake, right now..
I'd rather be blind
And in these dreams with love
Together we'd stand
I'm slippin fallin to earthward,
and I can't reach her hand
Yea, yea, yea, yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
My eyes opened wide
And I lost myself
I'm layin here in my bed,
there's no body else
Surrounded by questions, hate, and blood soaked war
I clasp my hands together... and pray,
Ask what it's all for
It's easy for me to slip away
And live on the air
If we'd all just let love live...
We could all meet there
But time has it's way of saying,
It's time to move on
So off to my kingdom I go
Where I feel at home
Yea, yea, yea, yea
I had this swirlin ache from
Sprays of honeysuckle
That when they are gathered break
Will do on the knuckle
I had small sweets, but those seemed small when I was young
The pedal of the rose was stung.
Yea, nyah nyah nyah nyah
Lyrics submitted by osubuckeye4
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
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this song is the best song OAR has ever made...i saw them live in April it was an experience i'll never forget