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 awake to shades of grey
Stumbling silhouette just broke the ashtray
Try to remember why you’re in my room
The cocaine never lets you sleep
It only supplements the drinking
Did a chemical reaction transform you to this?
I don’t know what I’d do
if I ever saw you outside of my nightmares
Down on your knees saying your prayers
The whites in your eyes
Turned to yellow
You’re decomposing
Tobacco stained teeth hide behind cracking lips
Makes smiling hard without bleeding
It’s spinning out of control
This condition far worse than critical
Pinch myself awake but this is no dream
Wither and die in front of me
There’s been a big mistake ‘cause that shit you drank
was no love potion
You’re trying hard but getting nothing
I won’t play a part in this game of you self-destruction
Step outside you’re getting nothing
Stumbling silhouette just broke the ashtray
Try to remember why you’re in my room
The cocaine never lets you sleep
It only supplements the drinking
Did a chemical reaction transform you to this?
I don’t know what I’d do
if I ever saw you outside of my nightmares
Down on your knees saying your prayers
The whites in your eyes
Turned to yellow
You’re decomposing
Tobacco stained teeth hide behind cracking lips
Makes smiling hard without bleeding
It’s spinning out of control
This condition far worse than critical
Pinch myself awake but this is no dream
Wither and die in front of me
There’s been a big mistake ‘cause that shit you drank
was no love potion
You’re trying hard but getting nothing
I won’t play a part in this game of you self-destruction
Step outside you’re getting nothing
Lyrics submitted by Ken Braley
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This is about being in a relationship with someone who abuses drugs. in this case specifically cocaine and alcohol. let me tell you. it sucks.