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.
Check it out, 1, 2, hey yo, hey yo
I came a long way since back in the day
From a teenager trying to make a rap in this way
Ever since I was a kid I had something to say
Rocking mics was a dream I didn't care about pay
I sacrificed late nights and going out with my friends
Just to stay home alone with my pad and my pen
Had my eyes on my prize, my mind on my goal
As I carved these rhymes out with my hear and my soul
I didn't have a CD; all I had was a tape
On the dole through my flow was my only escape
From a world where they didn't want to see my prevail
Didn't want to see me take it all
They'd rather see me fail
Its like ...
I was down and out
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through
I got a dream (I got a dream)
Holding old (I'm gonna hold on)
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
Hey yo
I got a dream to make it big in New York
Give up the drugs and alcohol
I didn't want to distort
My vision to be living life to the full
And I wouldn't of made it if it wasn't for you
You picked me up every time that I fell
When I was going through hell you told me that I would prevail
You said I had exactly what it took to be great
That I was young and in the future would a man I would make
Its like you saw something in me I couldn't see
You said I would succeed and be anything I wanted to be
I'm 23 and I just want to be me
want to be free
want to be everything I can be
But I don't have many choices
Can't afford to be wrong
All I do is try to stay true to the words of my song
Just don't hesitate and wait too long
'cause like a dream when you wake up its gone ... its gone
I was down and out
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through (I had no money in my pockets)
I got a dream (all I had was a pad and a pen)
Holding old (that's all I ever needed)
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
Hey yo
It was a sunny day and we were feeling high
Jamming the song underneath the baby blue sky
Thinking 'bout in the time when we were so poor
'Member the kids used to laugh at the clothes we wore
We always knew one day that things were gonna change
And from that day I was never gonna be the same
I went to sleep that night; I dreamt I touched the sky
And ever since I've been trying to keep my dream alive
So when you see this Scribe, dropping the Ill'ed rhyme
To find how I'm living mine in this day and time
I'm working 9 to 5; I'm slaving over beats
Its hard work living the dream I hardly ever sleep
I'm in the rhythm deep, Yo just trying to do my thing
Its funny when you shine and people hate to see the gleam
No matter what they say keep on doing what you do
And don't give up 'cause only you can make that dream come true
Its like...
I was down and out (I was way out)
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through
I got a dream
Holding old
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
I was down and out ...
Wonder how ...
I got a dream ...
I won't let go 'cause I got ...
I came a long way since back in the day
From a teenager trying to make a rap in this way
Ever since I was a kid I had something to say
Rocking mics was a dream I didn't care about pay
I sacrificed late nights and going out with my friends
Just to stay home alone with my pad and my pen
Had my eyes on my prize, my mind on my goal
As I carved these rhymes out with my hear and my soul
I didn't have a CD; all I had was a tape
On the dole through my flow was my only escape
From a world where they didn't want to see my prevail
Didn't want to see me take it all
They'd rather see me fail
Its like ...
I was down and out
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through
I got a dream (I got a dream)
Holding old (I'm gonna hold on)
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
Hey yo
I got a dream to make it big in New York
Give up the drugs and alcohol
I didn't want to distort
My vision to be living life to the full
And I wouldn't of made it if it wasn't for you
You picked me up every time that I fell
When I was going through hell you told me that I would prevail
You said I had exactly what it took to be great
That I was young and in the future would a man I would make
Its like you saw something in me I couldn't see
You said I would succeed and be anything I wanted to be
I'm 23 and I just want to be me
want to be free
want to be everything I can be
But I don't have many choices
Can't afford to be wrong
All I do is try to stay true to the words of my song
Just don't hesitate and wait too long
'cause like a dream when you wake up its gone ... its gone
I was down and out
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through (I had no money in my pockets)
I got a dream (all I had was a pad and a pen)
Holding old (that's all I ever needed)
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
Hey yo
It was a sunny day and we were feeling high
Jamming the song underneath the baby blue sky
Thinking 'bout in the time when we were so poor
'Member the kids used to laugh at the clothes we wore
We always knew one day that things were gonna change
And from that day I was never gonna be the same
I went to sleep that night; I dreamt I touched the sky
And ever since I've been trying to keep my dream alive
So when you see this Scribe, dropping the Ill'ed rhyme
To find how I'm living mine in this day and time
I'm working 9 to 5; I'm slaving over beats
Its hard work living the dream I hardly ever sleep
I'm in the rhythm deep, Yo just trying to do my thing
Its funny when you shine and people hate to see the gleam
No matter what they say keep on doing what you do
And don't give up 'cause only you can make that dream come true
Its like...
I was down and out (I was way out)
Struggling
Wondered how I'm gonna make it through
I got a dream
Holding old
I can't let go 'cause I gotta make it come true
I was down and out ...
Wonder how ...
I got a dream ...
I won't let go 'cause I got ...
Lyrics submitted by missmuckjjj
Dreaming Lyrics as written by Mark Jolley Anna Catherine Mary Jolley
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.”
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Great version of a great song,
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