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.
The first time I saw you I thought that I
Would just make another
And then I realized that in life you were
Just another mirror
The first words you spoke were the ones that I
Vaguely remember
But tied in a knot all the times that we
Haven't spent together
And is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
And now when she leaves in the dark
Behind amber waves of cancer
A stroll in the park is a walk from her
Hopes to be a dancer
A light at the end of a tunnel that's
Been going on forever
You don't understand why these people
Are looking unfamiliar
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
Is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
And now when you leave in the dark
Inside everybody's answers
You're planning a way to abandon us
And live your life the way you like
Avoiding the urge to go sulk
In your remedial appearance
Sara I only expect to see
The whole thing a little bit clearer
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
Is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
Would just make another
And then I realized that in life you were
Just another mirror
The first words you spoke were the ones that I
Vaguely remember
But tied in a knot all the times that we
Haven't spent together
And is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
And now when she leaves in the dark
Behind amber waves of cancer
A stroll in the park is a walk from her
Hopes to be a dancer
A light at the end of a tunnel that's
Been going on forever
You don't understand why these people
Are looking unfamiliar
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
Is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
And now when you leave in the dark
Inside everybody's answers
You're planning a way to abandon us
And live your life the way you like
Avoiding the urge to go sulk
In your remedial appearance
Sara I only expect to see
The whole thing a little bit clearer
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
Is it your face
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind (mine)
When no one's around?
(Thinking thoughts of a suicide)
And is it your face (mine)
That's got you down?
Or is it your mind
When no one's around?
So take my hand
I will walk you around in a mask
Why don't you tell me now
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i think its about a girl who is really ugly and then he feels bad about it seein as the song is quite sad and slow