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.
If I was beautiful
If I had the time
They'd flock to me
Bathe me in the wine
I know that's not the way
I know that's not how things are to be
(My baby left)
(My baby left)
(Gone gone)
(Gone gone)
I was always looking
And I held until the time began
Subtle things come at me
I look to see where loss had ran
I can have the sun it come
And touch me on my shoulder
Think of all the things that I could
Wish that I had told her
I fly so high
Then fall so low
(I fly so high, I fly so high)
If I was beautiful
If I had the time
You would flock to me
And bathe me in the wine
I know that's not the way
I know that's not how things are to be
If I was like you
With nothing to get around
Then everything would be beautiful
As far as I can see
You'd be sitting here with me
'Til love's end
I fly so high
Then fall so low
I fly so high
Then fall so low
Signs of love (i fly so high)
Away we could run (then fall so low)
I can see the light come peering through the sky in my mind
Crazy people come and look at us we're lying on the floor
I would hold you in my arms until we both are home
I would hold you in my arms until we both are old
If I had the time
They'd flock to me
Bathe me in the wine
I know that's not the way
I know that's not how things are to be
(My baby left)
(My baby left)
(Gone gone)
(Gone gone)
I was always looking
And I held until the time began
Subtle things come at me
I look to see where loss had ran
I can have the sun it come
And touch me on my shoulder
Think of all the things that I could
Wish that I had told her
I fly so high
Then fall so low
(I fly so high, I fly so high)
If I was beautiful
If I had the time
You would flock to me
And bathe me in the wine
I know that's not the way
I know that's not how things are to be
If I was like you
With nothing to get around
Then everything would be beautiful
As far as I can see
You'd be sitting here with me
'Til love's end
I fly so high
Then fall so low
I fly so high
Then fall so low
Signs of love (i fly so high)
Away we could run (then fall so low)
I can see the light come peering through the sky in my mind
Crazy people come and look at us we're lying on the floor
I would hold you in my arms until we both are home
I would hold you in my arms until we both are old
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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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It is a great songs. Deifinately one of the best on 18. It's all about the pain of loss... ah, we all know it well...