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.
Thinking about the path we've been on.
I know we learned a lot of things.
Searching through the pages ot our history to see what my memory brings to me.
It doesn't matter the lies we tell.
Our insecurities we hide so well.
A revolution based on honesty,
But it won't matter until you see me for me.
My mind's been racing, but I don't think you've heard
What I'm trying to tell you, my emotions are so blurred.
Please, please, don't give up on me.
I hope you can see that I'm
So afraid to be myself and speak my mind.
I'm so scared that you won't like what you might find.
Time keeps wasting while I look away,
Never realizing the truth that I've locked away.
I made a promise to myself that I would one day keep.
To find the courage and the strength and in myself believe.
Please, please, don't give up on me.
I just hope you can see.
GO!
The truth is not always east and it's so hard to please.
Hoping that you'll understand that's the price you pay for honesty.
Time keeps wasting away, but that's the price you pay for honesty.
And it won't matter the lies we tell.
Our insecurities we hide so well.
A revolution based on honesty,
But it won't matter until you see me for me.
I know we learned a lot of things.
Searching through the pages ot our history to see what my memory brings to me.
It doesn't matter the lies we tell.
Our insecurities we hide so well.
A revolution based on honesty,
But it won't matter until you see me for me.
My mind's been racing, but I don't think you've heard
What I'm trying to tell you, my emotions are so blurred.
Please, please, don't give up on me.
I hope you can see that I'm
So afraid to be myself and speak my mind.
I'm so scared that you won't like what you might find.
Time keeps wasting while I look away,
Never realizing the truth that I've locked away.
I made a promise to myself that I would one day keep.
To find the courage and the strength and in myself believe.
Please, please, don't give up on me.
I just hope you can see.
GO!
The truth is not always east and it's so hard to please.
Hoping that you'll understand that's the price you pay for honesty.
Time keeps wasting away, but that's the price you pay for honesty.
And it won't matter the lies we tell.
Our insecurities we hide so well.
A revolution based on honesty,
But it won't matter until you see me for me.
Lyrics submitted by fallacies
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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this is such a good song. i think it means that he's afraid what people will think of him, so he hides behind a mask so people will like him.