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.
It's the children that I feel for,
Yes the children make me feel more,
More than the liqour, more than the art,
More than the Beach Boys records.
It's the drink that gives us heartache,
It's the charity we won't take,
We feel so empty and our late twenties should be better times.
It's the love and the truth and the hope and the faith,
That will destroy us in the end.
It's the look in the eyes of those one night stands that gives us the will to
pretend.
It's the feeling of fucking the people that we're loving that spurs us
onto endless sleepless nights,
And love will destroy us in the end.
There's not a thing that I can save from all those wasted, wasted days,
And theres no faith that will ever save me from being faithful,
And the damn phone never rings,
And I would give up everything,
For a little wine, some conversation
And just for being healthy.
Yes the children make me feel more,
More than the liqour, more than the art,
More than the Beach Boys records.
It's the drink that gives us heartache,
It's the charity we won't take,
We feel so empty and our late twenties should be better times.
It's the love and the truth and the hope and the faith,
That will destroy us in the end.
It's the look in the eyes of those one night stands that gives us the will to
pretend.
It's the feeling of fucking the people that we're loving that spurs us
onto endless sleepless nights,
And love will destroy us in the end.
There's not a thing that I can save from all those wasted, wasted days,
And theres no faith that will ever save me from being faithful,
And the damn phone never rings,
And I would give up everything,
For a little wine, some conversation
And just for being healthy.
Lyrics submitted by lizardwings182
Love Will Destroy Us in the End Lyrics as written by Darren Hayman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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According to Darren, this is supposed to be a mockery of overeducated people in their late twenties. Somehow, people seem to find it more attractive to be some sort of tortured soul, to question your luck, to magnify every bad moment and overlook the good ones on purpose.
I sometimes try to remember this, and kick myself into reason. Life should be lived, not turned into some sort of screenplay for a loser movie.
It's a call to sincerity.
Albeit, with a bit of cynicism, cause love should'nt destroy. The love is 'fucking' kind of love, selfish. That why children, he feels for. Kids are usually pretty transparent and real. By the end of the song the character is a bit rueful and would give anything to have just an ounce of sincerity that would have brought him to a better end.