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.
Through the street lights and forfeited lanes,
With a trunk full of everything that we could get,
There is a place that's safe for those who know no better,
That's where we keep our hideout hidden.
Chorus:
We're travelling destinationless,
An open ticket for a one way trip,
Free of any expectations,
Careless while they crack that whip.
And if the sun won't come up tomorrow,
This is where I wan't to be.
No way of knowing how much time you have borrowed,
So, I try to keep mine free.
Chorus
What would you decide
When ignorance can be such bliss. (x2)
You see a car full of zeros,
Destined to die unsatisfied,
I don't need to know where we going.
I can still enjoy the ride.
Chrous
What would you decide
When ignorance can be such bliss.
With a trunk full of everything that we could get,
There is a place that's safe for those who know no better,
That's where we keep our hideout hidden.
Chorus:
We're travelling destinationless,
An open ticket for a one way trip,
Free of any expectations,
Careless while they crack that whip.
And if the sun won't come up tomorrow,
This is where I wan't to be.
No way of knowing how much time you have borrowed,
So, I try to keep mine free.
Chorus
What would you decide
When ignorance can be such bliss. (x2)
You see a car full of zeros,
Destined to die unsatisfied,
I don't need to know where we going.
I can still enjoy the ride.
Chrous
What would you decide
When ignorance can be such bliss.
Lyrics submitted by Seuberling
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
So beautiful.
What would you decide? When ignorance can be such bliss. What makes me mad is when I recite that line to people, and they just go "HUH????" before they even try to let the words process through their sorry excuses for brains, god it's not that hard!!! I like that line a lot.
this song is one of my absolute favorites from anything Samiam ever did. it's absolutely amazing.