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.
When I was thirteen, I bought a scally cap looked up to the older guys who drank at the rat
couldn't wait to grow up just to drink with the crew put my name on the map and have a social few
I recall when I was small I thought I'd be legend soon
but that was then and this is now a harder road cannot be found don't get me wrong,
good times were had sometimes the fun outweighed the bad but all in all,
now said and done I can recall more bad than fun
It's killing me - the answer's here, it's plain to see it's taken me
I'm half the man I thought I'd be it's killing me
it's taken years but now I see I'm not the man I thought I'd be
I'd fight them all, big or small angel dust and Bud tall collars up and fists the same
protect your friends and family name had my lumps,
received a few but not near what I deserved
some say this life's my punishment some say this life's my just deserves
couldn't wait to grow up just to drink with the crew put my name on the map and have a social few
I recall when I was small I thought I'd be legend soon
but that was then and this is now a harder road cannot be found don't get me wrong,
good times were had sometimes the fun outweighed the bad but all in all,
now said and done I can recall more bad than fun
It's killing me - the answer's here, it's plain to see it's taken me
I'm half the man I thought I'd be it's killing me
it's taken years but now I see I'm not the man I thought I'd be
I'd fight them all, big or small angel dust and Bud tall collars up and fists the same
protect your friends and family name had my lumps,
received a few but not near what I deserved
some say this life's my punishment some say this life's my just deserves
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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.
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 song is about looking up the men in the bars and wanting to grow up to be like them, then when you grow up to be like them you realize it isn't what it's cracked up to be at all. I love this song.