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.
It's so easy to say you don't care
It's so easy to say you don't need it
When you've got it all and you know
Now every day you feel a bit less
And when you get dressed remind yourself this
And there's just yourself you can do
Yeah there's just so much you can do
And I say let the distance bring us together again
Take a picture
Let the light in on the exposure
In the dark who knows what we'll find
And if it's not yours I can't say if it's mine
Just make it soft
Set it right now
Take some blame
When you're right
Don't you forget what you are
You are the one who brings the best of us all
Nothing else but
Nothing else but let the distance bring us together again
Out on your own you make your own
Satisfy your own self
You don't have to think
You don't watch your back
You stink
You lack
You got the right
It's so easy to say you don't need it
When you've got it all and you know
Now every day you feel a bit less
And when you get dressed remind yourself this
And there's just yourself you can do
Yeah there's just so much you can do
And I say let the distance bring us together again
Take a picture
Let the light in on the exposure
In the dark who knows what we'll find
And if it's not yours I can't say if it's mine
Just make it soft
Set it right now
Take some blame
When you're right
Don't you forget what you are
You are the one who brings the best of us all
Nothing else but
Nothing else but let the distance bring us together again
Out on your own you make your own
Satisfy your own self
You don't have to think
You don't watch your back
You stink
You lack
You got the right
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Britt Daniel(-s) :P
But, good gods, this song is beautiful. There was always a certain level of machismo in his voice in Spoon songs, even in those equally stunning lamentation tunes, but it seems to be lost here, almost as if he's on the verge of tears.
When Post-Parlo said that Britt Daniel (and Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst, who co-wrote this) is one of our greatest songwriters now, it almost reeks of understatement.
This song is awesome. I think the Britt Daniel/Bright Eyes combo is amazing.
I agree.
loves it
The whole song is probably about a girl he loves that he was once in a relationship with. He doesnt say anything about a breakup but the title of the song suggests that maybe she had to leave permanently for whatever reason and it's eating away at both of them- "Now everyday you feel a bit less." I think the part about the picture has to do with reminding her of that one point in time that a picture captures and how wonderful things used to be when they were together.
"You are the one who brings the best of us all"
[Brilliant.]