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.
Live a life less ordinary.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
Live a life less sanitary.
Live a life evolutionary with me.
Well, I hate to be a bother,
But it's you and there's no other, I do believe.
You can call me naive,
But I know me very well,
At least as far as I can tell,
And I know what I need.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied next time.
Live a life less ordinary.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
My face has said too much
Before our hands could even touch
To greet a hello.
So much for going slow.
A little later on that year
I told you that I loved you, dear.
What do you know?
This, you weren't prepared to hear.
I'm a saddened man.
I'm a broken boy.
I'm a toddler with a complex toy.
I'm falling apart
Since the outburst on your heart.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied, but
Honey, understand
Honey, understand.
I won't make demands.
Honey, understand
Honey, understand
We could walk without a plan.
Honey, understand
Honey...
Honey, understand
I won't rest in stone,
All alone.
Honey, understand
Honey, understand
I'm all ready to go.
But you already know.
Live a life less ordinary.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
If I could name you in this song,
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal,
To get into your soul.
If I could make you dance for joy,
Could that be the second chance to coy
The bird in hand
I would need
To help you understand.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied next time.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
Live a life less sanitary.
Live a life evolutionary with me.
Well, I hate to be a bother,
But it's you and there's no other, I do believe.
You can call me naive,
But I know me very well,
At least as far as I can tell,
And I know what I need.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied next time.
Live a life less ordinary.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
My face has said too much
Before our hands could even touch
To greet a hello.
So much for going slow.
A little later on that year
I told you that I loved you, dear.
What do you know?
This, you weren't prepared to hear.
I'm a saddened man.
I'm a broken boy.
I'm a toddler with a complex toy.
I'm falling apart
Since the outburst on your heart.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied, but
Honey, understand
Honey, understand.
I won't make demands.
Honey, understand
Honey, understand
We could walk without a plan.
Honey, understand
Honey...
Honey, understand
I won't rest in stone,
All alone.
Honey, understand
Honey, understand
I'm all ready to go.
But you already know.
Live a life less ordinary.
Live a life extraordinary with me.
If I could name you in this song,
Would it make you smile and sing along?
This is the goal,
To get into your soul.
If I could make you dance for joy,
Could that be the second chance to coy
The bird in hand
I would need
To help you understand.
The night you came into my life
Well, it took the bones of me
Took the bones of me.
You blew away my storm and strife
And shook the bones of me
Shook the bones of me.
By the way,
I do know why you stayed away.
I will keep tongue tied next time.
Lyrics submitted by tupelodylan, edited by jct7779
Life Less Ordinary Lyrics as written by Carter Gravatt Barry Thomas Privett
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
guy falls in love with girl. girl (FROM THE BIGINING,ALREADY knows how he feels) doesnt feel the same way, BUT (goes along with it and) SAYS she does love him back. girl never falls in love with him. guys falls deeper but knows something is wrong. toward the end guy realizes she isn't happy with him. guy ends it cuz he "loves her enough to let her be happy, with or with out him".....this is what happened to me.
the worst part. GIRL SANG THIS VERY SONG TO ME ALMOST EVERYDAY. i should of found the meaning of this song soner..girl sang to me "Honey, understand Honey, understand I won't make demands
Honey, understand Honey, understand We could walk without a plan"