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 cries just a little when she sees him walk away
After all, she can't see it any other way
And it's hard when you're feelin' like there's nothin' left to lose
No she can't help it, she sees no excuse
There's no good in her goodbye
There's no tears she hasn't cried
But it's not enough
She needs nothin' less than love
Don't say the sacrifice is small
And no one ever has it all
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
You can't stand in the middle and see it either way
That's just how it is, no one ever wants the blame
So she'll pick up the pieces and pretend she just can't see
Cause all she's looking for is some room to breathe
She knows better than to wait
Just keep waiting until it's too late
There's no good in her goodbye
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
Don't say the sacrifice is small
And no one ever has it all
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
After all, she can't see it any other way
And it's hard when you're feelin' like there's nothin' left to lose
No she can't help it, she sees no excuse
There's no good in her goodbye
There's no tears she hasn't cried
But it's not enough
She needs nothin' less than love
Don't say the sacrifice is small
And no one ever has it all
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
You can't stand in the middle and see it either way
That's just how it is, no one ever wants the blame
So she'll pick up the pieces and pretend she just can't see
Cause all she's looking for is some room to breathe
She knows better than to wait
Just keep waiting until it's too late
There's no good in her goodbye
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
Don't say the sacrifice is small
And no one ever has it all
When all she wants
Is nothin' less than love
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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,
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.