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've lost my footing
I'm hanging on by the brink
I'm stranded in a sea of hope with not a drop to drink
so I stand alone when I think
because conformity can't be the solution
because some scars never heal
and now my dreams lay in silent ruins
There's blood on the horizon
and still not a word spoken
I've lost my footing
I'm hanging on from a very thin thread
now the shadow falls as the reaper calls
and the dark comes rolling in over head
Something wicked this way comes
and still not a fucking word is spoken
Strike me down
release my hand
just let me fall
I'll never understand
I'm not living up to their expectations
I'm not living up to their dreams of success
they say i'm not living up to a simple standard
they say i'm not living up to the skill i possess
I think I was born without a soul (pray for me)
I think I was born without a voice (cry for me)
I think I was born without a pulse (love for me)
god, why was I born without the choice? (die for me)
and not a word, not a word is spoken
not a word is spoken
that's why i'm broken
not a word, not a word is spoken
and still not a fucking word
I'll never understand
I'll never understand you.
I'm hanging on by the brink
I'm stranded in a sea of hope with not a drop to drink
so I stand alone when I think
because conformity can't be the solution
because some scars never heal
and now my dreams lay in silent ruins
There's blood on the horizon
and still not a word spoken
I've lost my footing
I'm hanging on from a very thin thread
now the shadow falls as the reaper calls
and the dark comes rolling in over head
Something wicked this way comes
and still not a fucking word is spoken
Strike me down
release my hand
just let me fall
I'll never understand
I'm not living up to their expectations
I'm not living up to their dreams of success
they say i'm not living up to a simple standard
they say i'm not living up to the skill i possess
I think I was born without a soul (pray for me)
I think I was born without a voice (cry for me)
I think I was born without a pulse (love for me)
god, why was I born without the choice? (die for me)
and not a word, not a word is spoken
not a word is spoken
that's why i'm broken
not a word, not a word is spoken
and still not a fucking word
I'll never understand
I'll never understand you.
Lyrics submitted by missderelict
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Could this be about religion? Going against the religious views of how to live. Hence, him begging to
Strike me down release my hand just let me fall I'll never understand
Also, all of the "they say" parts are about Christians. The first half of the song is referring to how most people "find god" when they are at their lowest, but this doesn't work for him "conformity can't be the solution." Instead of confiding in false hope, he delves further downward into the fearful. At this point (the second half of the song) he is reflecting on their (Christians) negative thoughts/feelings about him. He then comes to the realization that there is no god and the "I think I was born...." parts are the implications of life without god. No god=no soul. The chorus, I think has two different meanings. In the beginning it is referring to how he is struggling so much, yet no one seems to care "not a word is spoken" even though the foreseeable future is bleak "blood on the horizon." In the second half of the song the chorus is more directly referring to christianity. It's obvious that there is no god, yet everyone follows along and "not a word is spoken." There is no hope you can offer the Atheist. The Atheist is left alone in the world to discover his own destiny, his own path, overcome his own problems by himself without god. The Atheist is left alone suffering, begging for something to believe in that will comfort his misery, all the while "NOT A FUCKING WORD IS SPOKEN!!!" "I'll never understand you" becomes very clear and meaningful...