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.
I'm going under, I'm suffocating
Drowning but I'm holding on
What keeps me breathing? Don't have an answer
I'm drowning but I won't let go
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
I've been a walking a lonesome highway
I felt as though I had no home
My bed's been taken by another I made the bed, now lie alone
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
I'm going under, I'm suffocating
Drowning but I'm holding on
What keeps me breathing? Don't have an answer
I'm drowning but I won't let go
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Drowning but I'm holding on
What keeps me breathing? Don't have an answer
I'm drowning but I won't let go
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
I've been a walking a lonesome highway
I felt as though I had no home
My bed's been taken by another I made the bed, now lie alone
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Away now, no way out
Away now, no way out
I'm going under, I'm suffocating
Drowning but I'm holding on
What keeps me breathing? Don't have an answer
I'm drowning but I won't let go
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away (hey)
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
Keep it away now motherfucker, now keep it away
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
He's talkin about how hard it is for him to stay clean and not having it.He's also tellin other people to keep it away from him to avoid the temptation.
Awesome song!!! This song is about drugs and trying to stay off of them but having trouble with staying sober.
oh so good.
great song, and ciyaak summed it all up (as far as the meaning goes). STP ROX !!!!
pretty obvious meaning.... one of my fav songs off No. 4
only 5 comments???? this is one of my favorite stp songs... best song off of No. 4 for sure
this song def sounds like a late 90's song you can tell
best song off of No. 4 ... not gonna explain the meaning bc its obvious
probaly the most forgotten STP hit... still a great song however... one of their best known secrets even though it was a single at one point
^^^ exactly