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 held the book so tightly in my hands,
I saw your picture, heard you call my name
There was something strange, I could not look away
I wanted to be there, I wanted to go
You gave me no warning
You gave no reason
But I was with you
Right by your side
Just give me the strength, and I will help you
And they can try their hardest, cos they don't frighten me
It is written in the book
It is hotter than I've known before, but I feel so cold, and I don't
know why
But if the fire within your heart can beat the storm
Then I really believe, you could make it right
Ooh the time has come now
We must show our feelings
But I'm looking right through you
And your heart is empty
Whatever happened to you it's too late to change now
There's nowhere you can run to, no place to hide
Ah you let me down!
...but wait a minute, I don't understand
It's getting stronger, so grab my hand
Don't wanna leave you, don't wanna go
But I'm losing all control
Can't you see me? I'm slipping away
I can only stay if you've the will to keep me here
It is written in the book
Oh so many times since I've read those words
Just waiting to see you, can you see me?
I saw your picture, heard you call my name
There was something strange, I could not look away
I wanted to be there, I wanted to go
You gave me no warning
You gave no reason
But I was with you
Right by your side
Just give me the strength, and I will help you
And they can try their hardest, cos they don't frighten me
It is written in the book
It is hotter than I've known before, but I feel so cold, and I don't
know why
But if the fire within your heart can beat the storm
Then I really believe, you could make it right
Ooh the time has come now
We must show our feelings
But I'm looking right through you
And your heart is empty
Whatever happened to you it's too late to change now
There's nowhere you can run to, no place to hide
Ah you let me down!
...but wait a minute, I don't understand
It's getting stronger, so grab my hand
Don't wanna leave you, don't wanna go
But I'm losing all control
Can't you see me? I'm slipping away
I can only stay if you've the will to keep me here
It is written in the book
Oh so many times since I've read those words
Just waiting to see you, can you see me?
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Behind the Lines Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Michael Rutherford
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I always interpreted this song as about a failed marriage/relationship.
The singer is looking through a wedding album/scrap book and seeing the "Forever"/"Love you always", etc. type of lines and wondering what went wrong. He's calling out that there was a commitment/promise "written in the book".
There's then memories of trying to reconcile and work through the issues, not really understanding where the disconnect happened but realizing that there was some sort of serious misstep. He comes back to find her "heart is empty" and he eventually realizes that reconciliation isn't possible.
The last verse is a final plea and the overall song is a realization that there were conditions "Behind the lines" that he didn't account for.
In the context of the whole album, the next song, "Duchess" is about a performer who lives for the performance and lets the rest of her life turn to crap. Then "Guide Vocal" is a whole "I stood by you, supported you and you took it for granted" that could be the other party from "Behind the lines".
I may be reading more into it than was intended, but I see a pretty clear story of someone who chose career over relationship and regretted the consequences.