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 got lost in a part of the woods
Far from another
Cut the line between light and the good
Out of color
When we breathe
We can see the stare
Seems you're not quite there
And we've never done anything wrong
I've betrayed the whole concept of ground
Right there for standing
Understand though I can't see what's sound
Got branches waving
Deep in the dark woods
To stand where no one's stood
When we move
We're slow and cold
If we're led then we don't
Have to think about what we've done
Streams come on and give all of themselves
I'd like to lie there
That was you in a part of the woods
Now we act like strangers
Far from another
Cut the line between light and the good
Out of color
When we breathe
We can see the stare
Seems you're not quite there
And we've never done anything wrong
I've betrayed the whole concept of ground
Right there for standing
Understand though I can't see what's sound
Got branches waving
Deep in the dark woods
To stand where no one's stood
When we move
We're slow and cold
If we're led then we don't
Have to think about what we've done
Streams come on and give all of themselves
I'd like to lie there
That was you in a part of the woods
Now we act like strangers
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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.
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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.
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haha i love the comment above me. although i doubt that there is significance. i may be 100% wrong though.
anyway. i love love love this song. the part that really speaks to me is
"i've betrayed the whole concept of ground right there for standing understand though i can't see what's sound got branches waving"
i think matt pond is talking about hitting that point in life where one begins to question everything that they hold on to for support and the idea of solid ground fades away. the idea of the branches waving make me think of being fickle and living for fleeting moments. the idea is scary but beautiful.