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.
Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say it, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-da-di-da
Now that I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close, don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-da-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-la-di-da
La-da-da-da-da-da
More than words
More than words
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say it, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-da-di-da
Now that I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close, don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'Cause I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-da-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-la-di-da-dai-dai-dai
More than words
La-di-da-la-di-da
La-da-da-da-da-da
More than words
More than words
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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.
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This used to be my favourite song of all time when it first came out and I was about 13. I thought it was so deep and meaningful at the time, and I thought it was about a guy telling his girlfriend that he didn't just want to hear that she loved him, he wanted her to show him in other ways as well, like buying him little gifts and stuff that people do. Now that I am older and have been screwed over by more guys, I realise the true meaning of this song. It isn't my favourite any more. This is about a guy trying to get a girl to sleep with him using emotional blackmail - what would you do if my heart was torn in two? Well how exactly is that going to happen? Fuck off with you.