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.
Here I can hold 'em off for a while at least till I think of a way to make them see what I gotta show and to make them feel what I already know now pour the gas all over me light a match say a prayer and set me free turn your cameras on this burning boy I'll be the life of an image you can't destroy to see me here is to pass me by and to watch me live is to watch me die your conscience ignored your panic spread you're whimper in the wind that no one said you crucify what you fear hold up to the light make it shine the desperation in my eyes is no dim reflection I won't disguise but you never listened too afraid to give now I'm giving up on you to save face and deny you've lost your chance for a better way assassinate the threat immortalize the corpse write a book about the show and sell it to the source riddle me this and I'll share your world around hang me on your wall and I'll bring your hurt down
Lyrics submitted by Blaupunked
Savant Lyrics as written by Jacob Ira Kiley Christopher Travis Jr Aiken
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
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.
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.
I'd have to say this is my favorite song from these fellas.
this song is absoloulty awesome live, but then again every show strung out perform is one to remember. jason cruz is absoloutly flawless when i heard him last, and i couldnt pick up any faults ont he rest of the band, and they really played the crowd, one of the most energetic bands i have ever seen. add the fact they always talk to the fans after the show, and you have undoubtedlt the best punk band ever.
I kind of think of the whole Vietnam thing when I listen to this song. Like the burning thing has to do with the buring monk and then the corruption going on. I don't know I'm just throwing that out there.
I agree that it has something to do with war. He's trying to survive in a foreign land while the media from back home is using him as a poster boy for the cause. They're treating him like a story, and they don't care if he lives or die. It could also be about some other fucked up person who the media obsesses over.
its about jesus: assassinate the threat immortalize the corpse write a book (bible) about the show and sell it to the source riddle me this and i'll share your world around hang me on your wall (cross) and i'll bring your head down
and its actually: "hang me on the wall and ill bring your head down"