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.
Bjork:
I've seen it all
I have seen the trees
I have seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze
Thom:
I've seen a man killed by his best friend
And lives that were over before they were spent
Thom and Bjork:
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all there is no more to see
Bjork:
You haven't seen elephants, kings or Peru
Thom:
I'm happy to say I had better to do
Bjork:
What about China? Have you seen the Great Wall?
Thom:
All walls are great if the roof doesn't fall
The man you will marry, the home you will share
Bjork:
To be honest, I really don't care
??
Thom:
You've never been to Niagara Falls?
Bjork:
I have seen water
It's water, that's all
Thom:
The Eiffel Tower
And the Empire State
Bjork:
My pulse was as high
On my very first date
Thom:
Your grandson's hand
As he plays with your hair
Bjork:
To be honest, I really don't care
Thom and Bjork:
I've seen it all
I've seen the dark
I've seen the brightness in one little spark
I've seen what I choose and I've seen what I need
And that is enough
To want more would be greed
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all there is no more to see
Thom:
You've seen it all and all you have seen
You can always review on your own little screen
The light and the dark the big and the small
Just keep in mind you need no more at all
Thom and Bjork:
You've seen what you were and know what you'll be
You've seen it all there is no more to see
I've seen it all
I have seen the trees
I have seen the willow leaves dancing in the breeze
Thom:
I've seen a man killed by his best friend
And lives that were over before they were spent
Thom and Bjork:
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all there is no more to see
Bjork:
You haven't seen elephants, kings or Peru
Thom:
I'm happy to say I had better to do
Bjork:
What about China? Have you seen the Great Wall?
Thom:
All walls are great if the roof doesn't fall
The man you will marry, the home you will share
Bjork:
To be honest, I really don't care
??
Thom:
You've never been to Niagara Falls?
Bjork:
I have seen water
It's water, that's all
Thom:
The Eiffel Tower
And the Empire State
Bjork:
My pulse was as high
On my very first date
Thom:
Your grandson's hand
As he plays with your hair
Bjork:
To be honest, I really don't care
Thom and Bjork:
I've seen it all
I've seen the dark
I've seen the brightness in one little spark
I've seen what I choose and I've seen what I need
And that is enough
To want more would be greed
I've seen what I was and I know what I'll be
I've seen it all there is no more to see
Thom:
You've seen it all and all you have seen
You can always review on your own little screen
The light and the dark the big and the small
Just keep in mind you need no more at all
Thom and Bjork:
You've seen what you were and know what you'll be
You've seen it all there is no more to see
Lyrics submitted by opifexx
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Has anyone noticed that in the movie Bjork is using sign language that is the opposite of the words she is saying? I think he character is trying to convince herself that there is nothing left for her to see/do with her life other than help her son. The sign language tells us she DOES care but decides her son's dreams are more important. It's a true spirit of sacrifice.