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.
Son you must go back to the life
Go pack your bags
Take up your scythe
'Cause this world wasn't meant for us both
Who made the night
Who made the day
Who gave you life
Who gave you say
I said this world wasn't meant for us both
Who rules the day
Who rules the night
Go pack your bags
Take up your scythe
I said this world wasn't meant for us both
Go pack your bags
Take up your scythe
'Cause this world wasn't meant for us both
Who made the night
Who made the day
Who gave you life
Who gave you say
I said this world wasn't meant for us both
Who rules the day
Who rules the night
Go pack your bags
Take up your scythe
I said this world wasn't meant for us both
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I think it's about God and Satan. The only part that doesn't make sense is the word "Son", unless you take it so that Satan was God's righthand man, and almost like a son... (pre-Christ) The rest makes a lot of sense though.
"You must go back to the life" Satan was banished from Heaven and back to the "life" or the Earth, where humans are, Satan's domain. "Go back your bag" Again, God banished Satan from Heaven "Take up your scyhte" A Grim Reaper reference. Satan and the Grim Reaper are similar religious/mythologic beings. "Cause this world wasn't meant for us both" Again with the banishing from Heaven. Satan betrayed God and now God doesn't want him in His domain.
"WHO MADE THE NIGHT WHO MADE THE DAY WHO GAVE YOU LIFE WHO GAVE YOU SAY" All references to God. God made the day, night, life, and granted us freewill.
"WHO RULES THE DAY WHO RULES THE NIGHT" Satan is said to be the ruler of Earth where he will stay until judgement day and be throw into the Lake of Fire.. etc etc...
Does that make any sense at all? Or am I pulling this all out of my ass?