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.
Ever since I was young your word is the word that always won.
Worry and wake the ones you love.
A phone call I'd rather not receive.
Please use my body while I sleep.
My lungs are fresh and yours to keep,
Kept clean and they will let you breathe.
Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry?
I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind.
Nobody plans to be half a world away at times like these,
So I sat alone and waited out the night.
The best part of what has happened was the part I must have missed.
So I'm asking you to shine it on and stick around.
I'm not writing my goodbyes.
I submit no excuse.
If this is what I have to do I owe you every day I wake.
If I could I would shrink myself and sink through your skin
To your blood cells and remove whatever makes you hurt
But I am too weak to be your cure.
Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry?
I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind.
Nobody plans to be half a world away at times like these,
So I sat alone and waited out the night.
The best part of what has happened was the part I must have missed.
So I'm asking you to shine it on and stick around.
I'm not writing my goodbyes.
I'm not letting you check out.
You will beat this starting now and you will always be around.
I'm there to monitor your breathing I will watch you while you're sleeping.
I will keep you safe and sound.
Does anybody remember back when you were very young?
Did you ever think that you would be this blessed?
Worry and wake the ones you love.
A phone call I'd rather not receive.
Please use my body while I sleep.
My lungs are fresh and yours to keep,
Kept clean and they will let you breathe.
Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry?
I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind.
Nobody plans to be half a world away at times like these,
So I sat alone and waited out the night.
The best part of what has happened was the part I must have missed.
So I'm asking you to shine it on and stick around.
I'm not writing my goodbyes.
I submit no excuse.
If this is what I have to do I owe you every day I wake.
If I could I would shrink myself and sink through your skin
To your blood cells and remove whatever makes you hurt
But I am too weak to be your cure.
Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry?
I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind.
Nobody plans to be half a world away at times like these,
So I sat alone and waited out the night.
The best part of what has happened was the part I must have missed.
So I'm asking you to shine it on and stick around.
I'm not writing my goodbyes.
I'm not letting you check out.
You will beat this starting now and you will always be around.
I'm there to monitor your breathing I will watch you while you're sleeping.
I will keep you safe and sound.
Does anybody remember back when you were very young?
Did you ever think that you would be this blessed?
Lyrics submitted by BrandNew1208
Guernica Lyrics as written by Vincent Accardi Jesse Lacey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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When I listen to this song I think of the singer getting a desperate call in the middle of the night from a loved one. Someone he loves but does not have a whole lot of contact with is sick and they need a transplant and they think he will be able to help them and they find out he can't (My lungs are freash and yours to keep, kept clean and they will let you breathe and If this is what I have to do I owe you every day I wake if I could I would shrink myself and sink through your skin to your blood cells Remove whatever makes you hurt, but I am too weak to be your cure). I think it might be the narrator's mom based on the whole I owe you every day thing. He obviously loves this person a lot, it sounds like he dropped whatever he had going on and took a flight to wherever they were the second he heard the news. He want's this person to be safe and he is going to protect them as best as he can.
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