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.
The restless wind
Has seen all things
In every kind of light
Rising with the full moon
To go howling through the night
The sleepless wind
Has heard all things
Between the sea and sky
In the canyons of the city
You can hear the buildings cry
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
Run with wind and weather
To the music of the sea
All four winds together
Can't bring the world to me
Chase the wind around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
Play of light
A photograph
The way I used to be
Some half-forgotten stranger
Doesn't mean that much to me
Trick of light
Moving picture
Moments caught in flight
Make the shadows darker
Or the colors shine too bright
Oh, the light can carry
All the visions of the sea
Oh, the light can carry
All the images to me
Run to light from shadow
Sun gives me no rest
Promise offered in the east
Broken in the west
Chase the sun around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
All four winds together
Can't bring the world to me
Shadows hide the play of light
So much I want to see
Chase the light around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll stand in the light
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll stand in the light
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
Has seen all things
In every kind of light
Rising with the full moon
To go howling through the night
The sleepless wind
Has heard all things
Between the sea and sky
In the canyons of the city
You can hear the buildings cry
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
Run with wind and weather
To the music of the sea
All four winds together
Can't bring the world to me
Chase the wind around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
Play of light
A photograph
The way I used to be
Some half-forgotten stranger
Doesn't mean that much to me
Trick of light
Moving picture
Moments caught in flight
Make the shadows darker
Or the colors shine too bright
Oh, the light can carry
All the visions of the sea
Oh, the light can carry
All the images to me
Run to light from shadow
Sun gives me no rest
Promise offered in the east
Broken in the west
Chase the sun around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
Oh, the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh, the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
All four winds together
Can't bring the world to me
Shadows hide the play of light
So much I want to see
Chase the light around the world
I want to look at life
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll stand in the light
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll stand in the light
Oh, the wind can carry
In the available light
I'll go with the wind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Brilliant. An excellent way to end the album, a moving and powerful song.
@Razormasticator Also a brilliant way to end the whole "keyboard era" of Rush (the best era of Rush IMO)
@Razormasticator Also a brilliant way to end the whole "keyboard era" of Rush (the best era of Rush IMO)