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.
Looking for a penny on an empty beach
I've been looking for a lover who has eyes to see
While I'm here I want to walk with you, hold your hand
In the sun, in the sun, in the sun, in the sun
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burned, and with it something inside me
Looking for a way to leave the world today
But the world is gonna leave itself anyway
While I'm here I want to walk with you, hold your hand
In the sun, in the sun, in the sun
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burned, and with it something inside me
Together, together, together, together
Together, in the sun
I need to get clean
I need, I need, I need
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burns, and with it something inside me
Looking for a way to leave the world today
I've been looking for a lover who has eyes to see
While I'm here I want to walk with you, hold your hand
In the sun, in the sun, in the sun, in the sun
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burned, and with it something inside me
Looking for a way to leave the world today
But the world is gonna leave itself anyway
While I'm here I want to walk with you, hold your hand
In the sun, in the sun, in the sun
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burned, and with it something inside me
Together, together, together, together
Together, in the sun
I need to get clean
I need, I need, I need
Turquoise is the color I need to get clean
The forest burns, and with it something inside me
Looking for a way to leave the world today
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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”
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
According to Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turquoise_(color), turquoise can have several significant meanings which could relate to this song. My hypotheses are listed below:
Turquoise is the gemstone for Sagittarius. This could be in reference to a person who is a Sagittarius that he really misses having in his life.
"The Turquoise" refers to the waters of the Caribbean, which are shallow and therefore take on the color in sunlight. This could be referring to this particular place that has significance in his life for some reason or other. A favorite vacation spot, childhood memories, etc...
In holistic medicine, the color turquoise purportedly has a calming effect on patients, and is particularly used to treat patients prone to panic attacks or mania. My personal favorite along with #1. No further explation really needed..
Mainstream psychiatric hospitals use turquoise and other light tones of blue and green to calm patients by painting the walls in these colors. This falls in line with GotMeNow's comment.
Some mosques have turquoise domes. He needs religion.
So there you have it. Take your pick...