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.
She's so smart today
She thought she could be right here again, but
She can only see, what she's afraid to see
She's now scared...
She says, I........ I can't please myself
(Applause please..)
And it's you...who I can't be from, unless
Empty stares, did you find it there..
Always by your side, knowing nothing well it's always right
And we've come oh so far to gain some strength and now we've pulled too hard
Now all you want is gone [x2]
And now I'm all I've got
So he tested time
It's time that he thought she'd meet again
It's his selfish mind
That gives him this empty life
He now escapes, he said "I, I can't please myself"
And it's you, your all I want, unless..
Empty stares, thought we'd go down there
Always by your side, knowing nothing, well it's always right
And we've come oh so far to gain some strength and now we've pulled to hard
And now all you want is gone [x2]
And now I'm all I've got
Wait and see, that it's not 'cause me
It's everything.. in our lives..
I'll make some space but it's hard,
But I can't do anything to make this wait
And if all you want is gone
And now all you want is gone
And now I'm all I've got...
She thought she could be right here again, but
She can only see, what she's afraid to see
She's now scared...
She says, I........ I can't please myself
(Applause please..)
And it's you...who I can't be from, unless
Empty stares, did you find it there..
Always by your side, knowing nothing well it's always right
And we've come oh so far to gain some strength and now we've pulled too hard
Now all you want is gone [x2]
And now I'm all I've got
So he tested time
It's time that he thought she'd meet again
It's his selfish mind
That gives him this empty life
He now escapes, he said "I, I can't please myself"
And it's you, your all I want, unless..
Empty stares, thought we'd go down there
Always by your side, knowing nothing, well it's always right
And we've come oh so far to gain some strength and now we've pulled to hard
And now all you want is gone [x2]
And now I'm all I've got
Wait and see, that it's not 'cause me
It's everything.. in our lives..
I'll make some space but it's hard,
But I can't do anything to make this wait
And if all you want is gone
And now all you want is gone
And now I'm all I've got...
Lyrics submitted by disco_lemonade
An Oak Tree Stands Beside A Linden Lyrics as written by Chris Badami Arthur Enders
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
maybe it's a continuation of the myth. an oak and a linden growing out of the same trunk (always by your side, knowing nothing, but it's always right) and the fact that the trees are really just old folks (come oh so far to gain some strength but no we've pulled too hard). Perhaps the couple've grown tired of eachother, but realize they are stuck together forever; despite pulling away.
So ace gave these two characters personalities and a brand new plot, maybe. bravo. I love this song!
-AJ