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.
I found your photograph
In a cardboard box in a magazine
I can't remember you, remember us or anything
I taught you how to feel, but you just feel numb
They taught you how you feel, but you just feel numb
She comes apart in the avalanche
Fades out like a dance
Crawls back into bed when it's over
And it's over
I watch the window and listen for the sound of cars
I can't remember the last time that it was yours
I taught you how to feel, why do you feel numb
They taught us how to feel, but we just feel numb
She falls apart in the avalanche
Fades out like a dance
And crawls back into bed when it's over
And it's over
In a cardboard box in a magazine
I can't remember you, remember us or anything
I taught you how to feel, but you just feel numb
They taught you how you feel, but you just feel numb
She comes apart in the avalanche
Fades out like a dance
Crawls back into bed when it's over
And it's over
I watch the window and listen for the sound of cars
I can't remember the last time that it was yours
I taught you how to feel, why do you feel numb
They taught us how to feel, but we just feel numb
She falls apart in the avalanche
Fades out like a dance
And crawls back into bed when it's over
And it's over
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Avalanche Lyrics as written by Ryan Adams
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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great lyrics. i think its awesome how he refers to her feeling numb, but his mind refuses to remember her in the beginning. i think the first set of lyrics is flashing back to an earlier time, when he taught a girl how to love, but she got scared and ran away. it hurt him, and he learned to not feel either.
I believe this song is about the fact that there is a void that this person is carrying around long after it should have been filled by the relationship or long after he should have forgotten about the relationship. Either way, it's still there and it is devastating.
i think this song is brilliant. it is one of my favorite ryan adams songs. i think he's talking about an ex who it didn't end well with. they stopped speaking when it was over and he doesn't know her or what she's up to but looking at that picture just brought all the numb feeling of being alone and hurt. their relationship was great at first but just faded out like a dance and all they could do in the end was cry.
I think this song kicks ass. Its one of those songs for me that i can just listen to over and over again just because of the emotion put into it. Ryan Adams has a great voice. Rock on!
sounds like a song about a girl he used to be with. but now she's moved on and changed.
probably one of my favorite songs to hear ever.
Ryan Adams' best
I can't believe only 5 people have commented on this song. It is one of his best defo. Superb.
what an amazing song. it equals dear chicago... my current fav ryan adams track!
It sucks to feel this way! You think you have true love with someone and then they leave you speechless... It is truely an avalanche of feelings, why, where did it come from. Why Why Why