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.
Solitude stands by the window
She turns her head as I walk in the room
I can see by her eyes she's been waiting
Standing in the slant of the late afternoon
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
Solitude stands in the doorway
And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette
By her long cool stare and her silence
I suddenly remember each time we've met
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"
And she says "I've come to lighten this dark heart"
And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear
And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"
I turn to the crowd as they're watching
They're sitting all together in the dark in the warm
I wanted to be in there among them
I see how their eyes are gathered into one
And then she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"
And she says"l've come to lighten this dark heart"
And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear
And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"
Solitude stands in the doorway
And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette
By her long cool stare and her silence
I suddenly remember each time we've met
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
She turns her head as I walk in the room
I can see by her eyes she's been waiting
Standing in the slant of the late afternoon
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
Solitude stands in the doorway
And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette
By her long cool stare and her silence
I suddenly remember each time we've met
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"
And she says "I've come to lighten this dark heart"
And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear
And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"
I turn to the crowd as they're watching
They're sitting all together in the dark in the warm
I wanted to be in there among them
I see how their eyes are gathered into one
And then she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
And she says "I've come to set a twisted thing straight"
And she says"l've come to lighten this dark heart"
And she takes my wrist, I feel her imprint of fear
And I say "I've never thought of finding you here"
Solitude stands in the doorway
And I'm struck once again by her black silhouette
By her long cool stare and her silence
I suddenly remember each time we've met
And she turns to me with her hand extended
Her palm is split with a flower with a flame
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I've listened to this song on repeat all afternoon. I believe it is divinely inspired. Personally, I think this song is about learning to grow by delving into self rather than searching externally for something or someone else to comfort or save you.
I especially love the lines: "And she turns to me with her hand extended Her palm is split with a flower with a flame."
Flowers are beautiful, and they often represent growth. Flames can symbolize passion and pain. Together, they can embody enlightenment (e.g. the lotus). The woman's hand - or solitude - is extended to the writer so that she may grow from whatever it is she is experiencing in her life at the moment. Of course, it is her choice whether or not she chooses to learn her lessons then and move on or remain in an uncomfortable situation unchanged. For me, the second line alludes to the fact that we must take some time to ourselves so that we may grow, even though that means we will most likely experience some pain in the process.
*The lines that follow continue in the same vein:
"And she says, 'I've come to set a twisted thing straight.' And she says, 'I've come to lighten this dark heart.' And she takes my wrist; I feel her imprint of fear And I said, 'I never thought of finding you here.'"
*Whatever it is that the writer is going through is going to be resolved by time alone. She may have a heavy heart and be fearful, but after thoughtful consideration, she will find her way out feeling better about herself, her life, and her experiences. I believe the entire song is about gaining insight into one's own mind, body, and life.
(The following lines also make me wonder if the whole song could have been written about a more personal experience the writer might understand while sitting alone in her dressing room before going onstage.
"I turn to the crowd as they're watching They're sitting all together in the dark in the warm I wanted to be in there among them I see how their eyes are gathered into one."
She may be suffering from performance anxiety and searching for internal relief before going onstage. Perhaps, she does so by seeking solitude in her dressing room beforehand, surrendering herself to the fear, and letting it go rather than allowing herself to be consumed by it. Just a thought.)