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.
Something has to change
Undeniable dilemma
Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear
Constant over stimulation numbs me
But I would not want you any other way
Just not enough, I need more
Nothing seems to satisfy
I said, I don't want it, I just need it
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive
Finger deep within the borderline
Show me that you love me and that we belong together
Relax, turn around and take my hand
I can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure
Say the word and we'll be
Well upon our way, blend and balance
Pain and comfort, deep within you
Till you will not want me any other way
But it's not enough, I need more
Nothing seems to satisfy
I said, I don't want it, I just need it
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive
Knuckle deep inside the borderline
This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to
Relax, slip away
Something kinda sad about
The way that things have come to be
Desensitized to everything
What became of subtlety?
How can this mean anything to me
If I really don't feel anything at all? Yeah
I'll keep digging
Till I feel something
Elbow deep inside the borderline
Show me that you love me and that we belong together
Shoulder deep within the borderline
Relax, turn around and take my hand
Undeniable dilemma
Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear
Constant over stimulation numbs me
But I would not want you any other way
Just not enough, I need more
Nothing seems to satisfy
I said, I don't want it, I just need it
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive
Finger deep within the borderline
Show me that you love me and that we belong together
Relax, turn around and take my hand
I can help you change
Tired moments into pleasure
Say the word and we'll be
Well upon our way, blend and balance
Pain and comfort, deep within you
Till you will not want me any other way
But it's not enough, I need more
Nothing seems to satisfy
I said, I don't want it, I just need it
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive
Knuckle deep inside the borderline
This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to
Relax, slip away
Something kinda sad about
The way that things have come to be
Desensitized to everything
What became of subtlety?
How can this mean anything to me
If I really don't feel anything at all? Yeah
I'll keep digging
Till I feel something
Elbow deep inside the borderline
Show me that you love me and that we belong together
Shoulder deep within the borderline
Relax, turn around and take my hand
Lyrics submitted by implode, edited by blitzkee, jgibson4, Kyuss1, tmullin222, juandiego1993, VaerellisKing
Stinkfist Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I conceive this to be one of the band's greatest songs. As most of their songs it's metaphoric. We all want to know what Maynard meant when he pulled them from the depths of his mind and wrote them into song, but thats not what he intended them for. He wants us to apply them to our own life related experiences. Hince the name TOOL. Music is a tool for most of us today, to slip into memory, or some form of spiritual healing, to find a comfortable center within. I relate songs to certain happenings in my life, good and bad. With this song you could apply it to a few different things, love, drugs, sex, self affliction, or maybe looking within one's self. Who knows what he truly meant? Apply it to something in your own life and you'll find the true meaning behind it. It's up to you.
@chosen1 I agree. Maynard has said that tool's song meanings can whatever the listener wants it to be