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.
How long I’ll wait
Just to say goodbye
Ten different ways to enjoy this night
Can’t do this anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll wait
Just to say goodbye
You could never let me in
Holding on until the end
The time I waste just to say goodbye
Out of your way
I could do this right
Can’t see you anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll stay
Just to say goodbye, say goodbye
Leave it all the fights and all
Summer’s getting colder
Drive all night to hold you tight
Back to California
Days went by
We waited and I guess we’re getting older
We couldn’t win in the end
You’re gone
I’m miles away
Turning out the lights
Ten different ways I could end this night
Can’t do this anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll wait
Just to say goodbye, say goodbye
Leave it all the fights and all
Summer’s getting colder
Drive all night to hold you tight
Back to California
Days went by
We waited and I guess we’re getting older
We couldn’t win in the end
We couldn’t win in the end
We couldn’t win in the end
You’re gone
Just to say goodbye
Ten different ways to enjoy this night
Can’t do this anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll wait
Just to say goodbye
You could never let me in
Holding on until the end
The time I waste just to say goodbye
Out of your way
I could do this right
Can’t see you anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll stay
Just to say goodbye, say goodbye
Leave it all the fights and all
Summer’s getting colder
Drive all night to hold you tight
Back to California
Days went by
We waited and I guess we’re getting older
We couldn’t win in the end
You’re gone
I’m miles away
Turning out the lights
Ten different ways I could end this night
Can’t do this anymore
Won’t feel you anymore
How long I’ll wait
Just to say goodbye, say goodbye
Leave it all the fights and all
Summer’s getting colder
Drive all night to hold you tight
Back to California
Days went by
We waited and I guess we’re getting older
We couldn’t win in the end
We couldn’t win in the end
We couldn’t win in the end
You’re gone
Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84
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
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
this song is about how as their relationship grew, the fights became more consistent but they still loved each other. thry struggled too much to stay together and couldn't keep the relationship going, hence when he says "Days went by. We waited and I guess we’re getting older. We couldn’t win in the end"