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 used to walk along the opposite side of the road and made others get out of my way
I used to think I could sit and wait for the times
but they wont come until I meet them halfway
I'm halfway home and I'm on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
I plan to leave here after supper time
that's when traffic is light, all I need is a sign
and I'll be alright. I'll be fine
I used to think that i could just sleep and then I'd dream
And everything it would come to me
Until I woke one day without anything to eat
Lying on the opposite side of the street
I'm halfway home and I'm still out on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
Because it ain't my time to stay or say
I'll never lay down.
I used to think that I could just sit and wait for the time
But I know I gotta meet them halfway
I'm halfway home I tried home running with the flow
I'm halfway there. Ain't it funny how everybody seems to care
I planned to get there around supper time their serving up bread and wine
All I needed was a sign and I'll be alright.
I'll be fine.
I used to think I could sit and wait for the times
but they wont come until I meet them halfway
I'm halfway home and I'm on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
I plan to leave here after supper time
that's when traffic is light, all I need is a sign
and I'll be alright. I'll be fine
I used to think that i could just sleep and then I'd dream
And everything it would come to me
Until I woke one day without anything to eat
Lying on the opposite side of the street
I'm halfway home and I'm still out on my own
I'm halfway there and I don't care, I don't mind
Because it ain't my time to stay or say
I'll never lay down.
I used to think that I could just sit and wait for the time
But I know I gotta meet them halfway
I'm halfway home I tried home running with the flow
I'm halfway there. Ain't it funny how everybody seems to care
I planned to get there around supper time their serving up bread and wine
All I needed was a sign and I'll be alright.
I'll be fine.
Lyrics submitted by DMBphan41
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Oh wow. this is such a deep song. I'm not very religous at all but i believe that there are some religous undertones to this song. I think it was a time in his life where he lost his relationship with God. He felt alone and homeless with no one to turn to. I dont think it is about literally being homeless.
I used to walk all along The opposite side of the road And made others get out of my way I used to think that i could just sit and wait for the times but they wont come till i meet them halfway
He's talking about a time in his life when he was bitter and probably treated people badly. He came from the wrong side of the tracks and was waiting for god to find him. He needs to meet him halfway.
I plan to get there around supper time They're serving up bread and wine All i needed was a sign
Obviously, the bread and wine is symbollic of The Last Supper. He needed a sign from god to come home to him
to me, this song is about death.....
most likely suicide... he thought he could wait for time to take him(waiting to die) but he's gotta meet halfway, take care of it himself.
leaving after supper time, traffic is light... (referring to the traffic of souls going to heaven or elsewhere)
he just needs a sign, that final push to help him make the decision.
he used to sleep and dream of better but it never came, and he's realized its not going to. its not his time to stay, and its not his time to say, "i'll never lay down" (he's not going to show bravery)
he's halfway home (home being a state of mind, or possibly he thinks he is going to heaven.
he's tried going with the flow and just drifting through life.
everybody seems to care so much (sarcasm.) of course they care NOW. after he's gone, but no one noticed his pain before.
suppertime... in heaven.. they serve bread and wine. (could also be referring to his last meal or family gathering before he departs.)
and lastly he reassures himself that after words he will be ok. that everything will be ok.
I think this song was written to make himself feel better when he was homeless,"I'll be fine". "Halfway Home" also refers to the shelters he may have stayed at. He used to think that his destiny would come to him until he left home to pursue his dreams, and although he went through some very tough times, he was still on his way to becoming who he wanted to be. "I don't mind because it ain't my time to stay or say I'll never lay down" is one of my favourite lines. He's saying he's not ready yet, it's not his time, but he won't give up.
This song makes my heart bleed tears. It's so powerful I feel pain everytime I lend my ears to this Jason ditty.
Jason's Halfway Home = INSPIRATION.
I kind of fly in the face of this site in that I really think it is important to take your own meanings from songs, relative to your experiences.
This song in particular to me has a different meaning that what seems obvious.
To me "Halfway Home" refers to him being halfway through his life, and not being satisfied with what he has accomplished. Finally realizing that the things he wants in life are never going to be handed to him, that he has to seek them out and make them happen.
does anybody see any reference to suicide in this song?
sorta..."i plan to leave after suppertime"
i love jason mraz :) listen to his acoustic stuff its wonderful.
I got the same intepretation as Synical Saint. I think he finally realized that you have to work hard to make your life good. He was too lazy or selfish and then he lost everything.
either that, or its from the perspective of someone who is sick and dying. like cancer or aids etc.
used to walk on the wrong side of the street, meaning they had to fear or worries...
"I used to think that i could just sleep and then I'd dream And everything it would come to me Until I woke one day without anything to eat Lying on the opposite side of the street"
but now they've been suddenly diagnosed with a fatal sickness.
home= heaven
they are done fighting, they are ready to die, they are halfway there.
"Ain't it funny how everybody seems to care" (cancer is so common in this world now that we barley even blick when it swallows up people)
supper time in heaven, bread and wine, or again, a last supper kinda thing...
just waiting for a sign from god telling them its time to go.