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.
You know the way, you've been before
I've seen the signs, outside your door
You've set the rules, their bitter taste,
Can't be ignored
It's just the same, just like before
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
I loved the way, it was before
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend
If not someone, to help pretend
Remember me, you know my name
I'm still the same
But not for you, that's not enough
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
We couldn't change, you know the score
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend!
You loved the way, it used to be
The way it was, with you and me
It came too late, and left too soon
Just like the rings around the moon
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
I've seen the signs, outside your door
You've set the rules, their bitter taste,
Can't be ignored
It's just the same, just like before
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
I loved the way, it was before
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend
If not someone, to help pretend
Remember me, you know my name
I'm still the same
But not for you, that's not enough
You wanted more
I loved the sun, I loved the rain
I gave it up, but all in vain
We couldn't change, you know the score
So bittersweet to be adored
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
But in the end, what is a friend!
You loved the way, it used to be
The way it was, with you and me
It came too late, and left too soon
Just like the rings around the moon
We had it all, you let it go
You wanted more
We had it all, you gave it up
You wanted more
Lyrics submitted by Shadowsoal2000
You Wanted More Lyrics as written by Morten Harket Magne Furuholmen
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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.”
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.
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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.
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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.
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Okay, I'm not gonna do this one just yet. Since I provided it, i think it better to leave this open to somebody else first. I do think there's more to this song than what it apparently is at first glance though. See what you can come up with guys+girls :D
Guys, I'm dissapointed. Where are all the horeds of a-ha fans eh??? Lol, the truth is, this song is a little appropriate to the total lack of any interest in the band. I have a very strong feeling it's a rather dissapointed and deflated complaint from the band to the fans no less!! Well, not so much complaint, but put it this way. The band comkes out in the mid 80s, raging horeds of fans, sell out concerts. Oh how we loved take on me and the sun always shines on tv....and that other one....before they know where they are, poor old a-ha are having more demand for great songs and more performances. The poor guys cant keep up with demand. "We had it all, you gave it up, you wanted more"
OK, this song tells of a couple that couldn't make it and it screams of the inability of the male character to not be up to her sexually. And i also can see her having an abortion too. The lyrics are very deep and ambiguous as are most songs by this terrific band
@indyagent YIKES. I am that man and those are my last 2 girlfriends. One could go all night and I just didn't have the stamina. The other had an abortion. Both left me worse off mentally than I was when I met them. I've no hard feelings toward them.... <br /> <br /> ... which for one of them, was the problem in question. Lolz <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Can't we just say it's about Oliver Twist? <br /> <br />
I love this song! Of course, I love everything a-ha does, they're my favorite band and they will always be.
The way I see it is that this song is about a man whose girlfriend/wife/whatever left him, because she wanted more. They had everything (in his mind), but she didn't think so, so she left him. Later she comes back, but not for a romantic relationship, she wants to be just friends. She wants to forget they were ever even in a romantic relationship together, but he can't help but remember.
What if the song about someone who died? "You loved the way, it used to be The way it was, with you and me It came too late, and left too soon Just like the rings around the moon We had it all, you let it go"
I'd like to hear shadowsoul2000 expand on his/her idea.
I wondered if this was about a friend/lover/colleague who took heroin.
The subsequent parting of ways and reunion or rememberence.