Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
No despair anymore, your image it is diseased
I am a knife in your back, a constant reminder of what it could be
You are doomed to repeat all the things that you do
Right decision, to be true to myself and forever hate you
Misery from the time you were born
Repeat the past as you've always before
Reap it, want no part of your lies
Keep your mistruthts and remove you from sight
Guilty from the start of the game
As like before with the ending the same
Hatred has you trapped in its womb
Never will I have compassion for you
And you!
I am me and I do anything that I please
Unforgiven, you're a waste of one's time to this servant of hell
You're confused if you thought I was loyal and true
My decision to undo what is done and forever hate you
Misery from the time you were born
Repeat the past as you've always before
Reap it, want no part of your lies
Keep your mistruthts and remove you from sight
Guilty from the start of the game
As like before with the ending the same
Hatred has you trapped in its womb
Never will I have compassion for you
I am a knife in your back, a constant reminder of what it could be
You are doomed to repeat all the things that you do
Right decision, to be true to myself and forever hate you
Misery from the time you were born
Repeat the past as you've always before
Reap it, want no part of your lies
Keep your mistruthts and remove you from sight
Guilty from the start of the game
As like before with the ending the same
Hatred has you trapped in its womb
Never will I have compassion for you
And you!
I am me and I do anything that I please
Unforgiven, you're a waste of one's time to this servant of hell
You're confused if you thought I was loyal and true
My decision to undo what is done and forever hate you
Misery from the time you were born
Repeat the past as you've always before
Reap it, want no part of your lies
Keep your mistruthts and remove you from sight
Guilty from the start of the game
As like before with the ending the same
Hatred has you trapped in its womb
Never will I have compassion for you
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
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
About Glen Benton's ex-wife, not God.