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.
As we trudge along through the mud and we tried to call it home
But we weren't alright, not at all, not for one, for one, for one second
Never have been one to write it down, now I think I can
I know I'm stronger now, who's looking South?
Not me, I'm not looking back, done denying the truth to anyone
'Cause I'm alive
As we trudge along through the mud and we tried to call it home
But we weren't alright, not at all, not for one, for one, for one second
You showed me how you seemed to find a hole
But I just laughed and smiled begged and rolled my eyes
Even cried and denied the truth to you
Just like the truth to me mostly lied
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
White it out
Glittering wax butterflies (butterflies, butterflies)
Never have been one to write it down, now I think I can
I know I'm stronger now, who's looking South?
Not me, I'm not looking back, done denying the truth to anyone
'Cause I'm alive
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
But we weren't alright, not at all, not for one, for one, for one second
Never have been one to write it down, now I think I can
I know I'm stronger now, who's looking South?
Not me, I'm not looking back, done denying the truth to anyone
'Cause I'm alive
As we trudge along through the mud and we tried to call it home
But we weren't alright, not at all, not for one, for one, for one second
You showed me how you seemed to find a hole
But I just laughed and smiled begged and rolled my eyes
Even cried and denied the truth to you
Just like the truth to me mostly lied
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
White it out
Glittering wax butterflies (butterflies, butterflies)
Never have been one to write it down, now I think I can
I know I'm stronger now, who's looking South?
Not me, I'm not looking back, done denying the truth to anyone
'Cause I'm alive
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
I'm not going to look back
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
This is by far, one of their strongest, heaviest songs that just likes to grab you by the neck and throw you against a wall! I love it!
I think I have the right interpretation of this song. This whole album is kinda like a rock opera. A story perhaps. This song (being the first on the track) is kinda like the ground setting of the album. Kinda like the summarization of all the songs. Talking about how he wrote everything down into a prelude type of thing. Here's how the opera goes. Taste of ink: song about how he became loose and put his mind to something and accomplished it. "Bulimic " is about how he finally threw up the drugs. He got them out of his life so It wouldn't interfere with his new life. Say days ago is the kinda withdrawal- where he is starting to remember the drugs and there effects and he is realizing his dependence on Them. Poetic Tragety: this song is about how when he reveled and felt so alone because everyone was telling him that he was choosing the wrong. Which caused him to go into a downward spiral of low self esteem (and probably my favorite track on the album) Buried myself alive is how he threw the day away dealing with his esteem. A box full of sharp objects is about how he finally went sober and is done thinking about drugs. Blue and yellow can be interpreted between drugs or a relationship. Depends how Emo you are or not. Greener with the scenery was about him wanting to improve a relationship with a band mate. Noises and kisses is about a girl that won't open up her feelings to him. And it tears him up because he feels like he has failed. On my own is when he realized that he doesn't Know anything and how he accepts his life for what it is. Pieces mended is the conclusion to everything. And choke me is just about being high. However I HIGHLY recomend this CD. I can relate to all the songs so much. Plus I was born the year it came out!
I cant live without this song...It is the greatest song ever....I hope i can see used in concert one time
I get to see them in 13 days. hoorah for me :)
dude, never heard the song b4, or the band for that matter, but these lyrics are awesome. definatli something ima have to check out...
june 25th my friend :)
so much emotion, and so many different emotions, these guys are amazing. they remind me a lot of keepsake. support them and buy the cd, it is totally worth it, it came out june 25th. this is their best song though. i have no idea what the meaning of this song is, someone inform me if you know please.
The Used is the most awesome band EVER. I have never beenso impressed with a live show ever. So intense. Bert is absolutely mad, which is made clear when he gets so emotional his gutteral screams cause him to vomit. They are amazing, and this song is the best rock song in years.
the first line is "as we trudge along through the mud" oh what the hell these lyrics are screwed up, go to theused.net for the correct ones...
This song really does RULE!!!!