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.
If the light does not reveal what I'm feeling for you
If the light does not expose
Please don't fret my precious heart if you don't understand
Keep in mind, you're not alone
And I may never find the words that paint what you are to me
And I may never find them whole
If the light is not as kind as the truth is ugly
Every mirror's not a door
Just a stranger always kicking, crying, criticizing
Stranger leave yourself alone
And I may never know the reasons why I said what I did
And I may never know it, when I did it, I think I knew it
Now I only hope that I get through it
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
I guess it's why my blood, it goes ballistic when I see you
Danger turns my heart, a-drum
It's only you who sends my body wheeling for the exit
It's only me I'm running from
And I may never know what I was doing far from your side
And I may never know it, when I did it, I think I knew it
Now I only hope that I get through it
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
If the light does not expose
Please don't fret my precious heart if you don't understand
Keep in mind, you're not alone
And I may never find the words that paint what you are to me
And I may never find them whole
If the light is not as kind as the truth is ugly
Every mirror's not a door
Just a stranger always kicking, crying, criticizing
Stranger leave yourself alone
And I may never know the reasons why I said what I did
And I may never know it, when I did it, I think I knew it
Now I only hope that I get through it
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
I guess it's why my blood, it goes ballistic when I see you
Danger turns my heart, a-drum
It's only you who sends my body wheeling for the exit
It's only me I'm running from
And I may never know what I was doing far from your side
And I may never know it, when I did it, I think I knew it
Now I only hope that I get through it
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
You could have been my guide to the other side
Out of this storm raging inside
But my hands were tied to the wall of pride
And my legs were shackled to the floor of pride
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
The narrator is deeply in love with the woman that they're speaking about but they're caught up by their own feelings of pride and fear. He recognizes this but seems at a loss to do anything about it and accepts that he's going to lose the relationship because of it.