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.
A boy alone, so far from home
Endless rooftops from my window
I felt the gloom of empty rooms
On rainy afternoons
Sometimes in confusion
I felt so lost and disillusioned
Innocence gave me confidence
To go up against reality
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Now I've gained some understanding
Of the only world that we see
Things that I once dreamed of
Have become reality
These walls that still surround me
Still contain the same old me
Just one more who's searching for
A world that ought to be
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Endless rooftops from my window
I felt the gloom of empty rooms
On rainy afternoons
Sometimes in confusion
I felt so lost and disillusioned
Innocence gave me confidence
To go up against reality
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Now I've gained some understanding
Of the only world that we see
Things that I once dreamed of
Have become reality
These walls that still surround me
Still contain the same old me
Just one more who's searching for
A world that ought to be
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
All the same, we take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus ca change
Plus c'est la meme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Lyrics submitted by shed27, edited by digitalman
Circumstances Lyrics as written by Gary Lee Weinrib Neil Elwood Peart
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In the first verse he moves away from home in order make some grand change in his life. But things are bleak and that's the reality of the situation. The innocence of youth enables him to delude himself and push on anyway. That's cool. Nonetheless, whatever we will, we're at the mercy of the fates. And wherever we go, whatever we do, we're never really in control.
In the second verse he has grown older and wiser. He's a rock star and has gained much of the success that he dreamed of as a boy. Nonetheless, "wherever you go, there are." He's still at the mercy of the universe, like all of us.
I always thought this song was somewhat influenced by, or a response to the Yes song "Perpetual Change". It was written a few years prior to "Circumstances". Here are some lyrics:
"As truth is gathered, I rearrange, Inside out, outside in, inside out, outside in, Perpetual change.
And there you are, Saying we have the moon, so now the stars, When all you see Is near disaster gazing down on you and me, And there you're standing, Saying we have the whole world in our hands, When all you'll see, Deep inside the world's controlling you and me.
As mist and sun are both the same, We look on as pawns of their game."
With this song in mind, one can imagine Neil Peart saying 'Yes, we are pawns of random forces beyond our control. Yes, things do perpetually change. BUT, the more things change...' Well, you know the rest.