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. Sleeping Wide Awake
Once, not so long ago
I lived far below
Where you are
I didn't even know
Home was far away
I was sleeping wide-awake
Breaking down
Waiting for the sound
But I can hear it now
Is it all too late
'Cause I would sell my dreams
If I could be awake...
If I could be awake
There - wakling into walls
Piercing through the pain
Here we are
Reaching through the rain
I almost caught a glimpse
To feel that Sunday high
I would fall
This makes no sense at all
But I can hear it now
Not a single word
And though I'd strain my voice
Oh I cannot be heard
Outside the smile
The insider breaks
And I would give my dreams
If I could be awake
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
II. Hanging in the Balance
Go where you're going to
You can rule your mind
You will not decay
Decay is always waiting
You've got nowhere to go
So you look behind
What you sought to find
Is always fading
Wish to be brainless
Less can live evermore
More doesn't satisfy
The deeper meaning
Lose if you want to find
Find what you're looking for
For all your dreams can live
Live as if to satisfy the meaning
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
Drink in the big dream
Dream but you have to wait
Wait 'til you get it right
Write down every letter
Paint with the broadest strokes
Stroke through the deepest sea
See what you have in mind
To make it better
Get in on the ground floor
Floor to ceiling is so high
High will become the low
It will make sense
Want always wants some more
More is never enough
Enough is enough
Remember life is hanging in the balance
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
III. Lost and Found Pt. 2
Don't you think if you could be lost
Don't you think that you can be found
Don't you think if you were the world, you'd turn it around
Don't you think if you could be lost
Don't you think that you can be found
Don't you think if you were the world, you'd turn it around
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up, stand up 'cause this is your time
IV. Awakening the Stranger
In the time it takes to be lost or found
In the wake of something not for the crowd
Awakening the stranger in your soul
It isn't always quite that easy
Awakening the stranger in your soul
All the rage the world goes on outside
It's alright come in here - it's safe to hide
Awakening the stranger in your soul
Is more than just a thought or feeling
There is no wordly danger beyond control
There is so much more than what we're seeing
Awakening the stranger in your soul
V. Slide
Give up all the reasons that you know
Slide down where the time move nice and slow
Ease back and relax
No figures and no fax
Awakening the stranger in your soul
It's alright to give up your control (come in where it's safe-there is no I)
Move along we've paid your expressway toll (look at all the others floating high)
It's the 5:00 am alarm
No time to use your charm
Surrender is the only way to go
Awakening the stranger in your soul
No thought for yourself you just let go
VI. Stranger in Your Soul
When you come to make love, your only goal
Words cannot describe the feeling
Awakening the stranger in your soul
From the shadow to the deepest meaning
When you come to make love your only goal
Words cannot describe the feeling
Now we're here in full sight - we can be whole
Let's dive and never hit the ceiling
There - walking into walls
Piercing through the pain
Here we are
Reaching through the rain
I almost caught a glimpse
Brighter than the sky
A child grown
A stranger coming home
And I can hear it now
Every single word
And when I strain my voice
I will be assured
Outside the storm
But in here the big break
That I might chance to dream
That I might be awake
Awakening the stranger in your soul
Once, not so long ago
I lived far below
Where you are
I didn't even know
Home was far away
I was sleeping wide-awake
Breaking down
Waiting for the sound
But I can hear it now
Is it all too late
'Cause I would sell my dreams
If I could be awake...
If I could be awake
There - wakling into walls
Piercing through the pain
Here we are
Reaching through the rain
I almost caught a glimpse
To feel that Sunday high
I would fall
This makes no sense at all
But I can hear it now
Not a single word
And though I'd strain my voice
Oh I cannot be heard
Outside the smile
The insider breaks
And I would give my dreams
If I could be awake
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
II. Hanging in the Balance
Go where you're going to
You can rule your mind
You will not decay
Decay is always waiting
You've got nowhere to go
So you look behind
What you sought to find
Is always fading
Wish to be brainless
Less can live evermore
More doesn't satisfy
The deeper meaning
Lose if you want to find
Find what you're looking for
For all your dreams can live
Live as if to satisfy the meaning
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
Drink in the big dream
Dream but you have to wait
Wait 'til you get it right
Write down every letter
Paint with the broadest strokes
Stroke through the deepest sea
See what you have in mind
To make it better
Get in on the ground floor
Floor to ceiling is so high
High will become the low
It will make sense
Want always wants some more
More is never enough
Enough is enough
Remember life is hanging in the balance
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up 'cause this is your time
III. Lost and Found Pt. 2
Don't you think if you could be lost
Don't you think that you can be found
Don't you think if you were the world, you'd turn it around
Don't you think if you could be lost
Don't you think that you can be found
Don't you think if you were the world, you'd turn it around
Whatever you're looking for
Don't ever start looking behind
Whatever you want to change
You better start changing your mind
'Cause everything can be done
Stand up, stand up 'cause this is your time
IV. Awakening the Stranger
In the time it takes to be lost or found
In the wake of something not for the crowd
Awakening the stranger in your soul
It isn't always quite that easy
Awakening the stranger in your soul
All the rage the world goes on outside
It's alright come in here - it's safe to hide
Awakening the stranger in your soul
Is more than just a thought or feeling
There is no wordly danger beyond control
There is so much more than what we're seeing
Awakening the stranger in your soul
V. Slide
Give up all the reasons that you know
Slide down where the time move nice and slow
Ease back and relax
No figures and no fax
Awakening the stranger in your soul
It's alright to give up your control (come in where it's safe-there is no I)
Move along we've paid your expressway toll (look at all the others floating high)
It's the 5:00 am alarm
No time to use your charm
Surrender is the only way to go
Awakening the stranger in your soul
No thought for yourself you just let go
VI. Stranger in Your Soul
When you come to make love, your only goal
Words cannot describe the feeling
Awakening the stranger in your soul
From the shadow to the deepest meaning
When you come to make love your only goal
Words cannot describe the feeling
Now we're here in full sight - we can be whole
Let's dive and never hit the ceiling
There - walking into walls
Piercing through the pain
Here we are
Reaching through the rain
I almost caught a glimpse
Brighter than the sky
A child grown
A stranger coming home
And I can hear it now
Every single word
And when I strain my voice
I will be assured
Outside the storm
But in here the big break
That I might chance to dream
That I might be awake
Awakening the stranger in your soul
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by warrior666
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