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.
Did you think that I'd disappear?
Did you think that I'd wash away?
Did you think that I'd last this long?
Did you think that I'd get this strong?
Everytime they try to make me change
they just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
Did you think that I'd could be your cruch
Did you think that life could mean so much
Did you think that this could end in birth?
Did you think that this was just plain old luck
and everytime that try to make me change
that just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
everytime they try to make me change
they just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
the only way is the wrong way
the only way is the wrong way
Did you think that I'd wash away?
Did you think that I'd last this long?
Did you think that I'd get this strong?
Everytime they try to make me change
they just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
Did you think that I'd could be your cruch
Did you think that life could mean so much
Did you think that this could end in birth?
Did you think that this was just plain old luck
and everytime that try to make me change
that just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
everytime they try to make me change
they just wear me down with more chains
And it feels like
that your with me or against me
and it feels like
that your promises are all mine
and it feels like
that to push me is to shove me
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
and it feels like
that the only way is the wrong way
the only way is the wrong way
the only way is the wrong way
Lyrics submitted by WORlock
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.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
These lyrics are all wrong.
and it feels like that your promises are "omens".
Did you think that this could end in "bust"? Did you think that this was just plain old "lust"?
Now it makes sense. No one's giving birth here and promises wouldn't be "all mine" if everything is going wrong.
It definitely sounds like "omens" now that you mention it, thanks.
I think the speaker is expressing frustration at a partner who is controlling and passive-aggressive. The partner makes promises, and pushes him for what he's told is his own good, but in the end it's clear that the partner (or parent) is just doing these things for their own gain or control. That's why the lyrics are "it FEELS like the only way is the wrong way"---because while he's being told one thing (that it's all for his own good), it feels like (and probably is) the wrong thing.
This song is absolutly brilliant. If you listen to the music your're happy, but the lyrics are depressing. Good song though. It's a song that helps you when your friends are assholes.
this song is about the cycles of pain
I agree. Definitely about going through pain and trying to deal or eventually not dealing with the situationl. I can relate to the song. It's one of my favorites.
yeah i agree with u guys.. this sentence "and everytime they(?) try to make me change they just wear me down with more chains" that everytime people try to change him, they just chain him down to what he is because he dont want them to make him change..
Wow. I relate to this song more than I thought, but it doesn't move me or groove me.. really nice though.
As someone with a severely NPD single mother, this song just basically helps my soul vent on especially bad days. I have always had the impression since this song came out, that people with psychologically healthier parent(s) usually don't perceive this song on its deepest level, but I'm really grateful that this song exists for the rest of us.