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.
Time for a new me
I hear they’re having a sale at Thrifty
I'm trading myself in
And I don’t care what I get for it
'Cause I finally burned out
Been kicking myself for way too long
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
I'm taking a new tack
Gotta turn my back to turn back
I don’t wanna close doors
But I don’t wanna feel this way anymore
So I'm finding my way out
By turning away from a brick wall
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
Somebody tell me what to do
I've wasted my last 15 years
Jumping through their hoops
Only to find nothing waiting for me
But academic oblivion – my proud destiny
See I finally burned out
Been kicking myself for way too long
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
Wishing I was in another world…
(Somebody tell me what to do)
Wishing I was in another world…
Time for a new me
I hear they’re having a sale at Thrifty
I'm trading myself in
And I don’t care what I get for it
'Cause I finally burned out
Been kicking myself for way too long
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
I'm taking a new tack
Gotta turn my back to turn back
I don’t wanna close doors
But I don’t wanna feel this way anymore
So I'm finding my way out
By turning away from a brick wall
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
Somebody tell me what to do
I've wasted my last 15 years
Jumping through their hoops
Only to find nothing waiting for me
But academic oblivion – my proud destiny
See I finally burned out
Been kicking myself for way too long
Finally found out
What it feels like to be living a lie
Wasting my time, paralyzed
Wishing I was in another world
Wishing I was in another world…
(Somebody tell me what to do)
Wishing I was in another world…
Time for a new me
Lyrics submitted by UN5ANE
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This song is about hitting a dead end and just turning your entire life around and starting over.