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.
So, we let it go to start again
Knowing now how all our best intentions
Never lit the world on fire
Lights, illuminate the exit signs
And over the wings the skies an open endless sea
Crowding up surrounding me
And all, Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, I would for you
(My love)
And when, you're warm enough to share your sheets
Cold enough to make it seem that I was only there long enough to disappear
You know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep
Over and over a cynic saying rosary
A liar living make believe
And all, of Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, yes I would
And Detroit waves
And Detroit waves, goodnight
Spread out
Beneath me now
If I could
If I could change
Believe me
I would
Yes I would
And Detroit Waves
Detroit Waves
Knowing now how all our best intentions
Never lit the world on fire
Lights, illuminate the exit signs
And over the wings the skies an open endless sea
Crowding up surrounding me
And all, Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, I would for you
(My love)
And when, you're warm enough to share your sheets
Cold enough to make it seem that I was only there long enough to disappear
You know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep
Over and over a cynic saying rosary
A liar living make believe
And all, of Detroit waves
Goodnight
Spread out
Beneath
Me now
If I could, if I could change
Believe me
I would, yes I would
And Detroit waves
And Detroit waves, goodnight
Spread out
Beneath me now
If I could
If I could change
Believe me
I would
Yes I would
And Detroit Waves
Detroit Waves
Lyrics submitted by starshine1763
Detroit Waves Lyrics as written by Matt Nathanson Mark Weinberg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
i think the second verse is wrong. i hear this:
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets cold enough to make it seem like I was only there long enough to disappear you know I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary a liar living make believe
Somehow air travel can provoke some amazingly profound thoughts. If you have ever flown over the Detroit area at night, it is quite an amazing sight - lights for miles and miles extending across the suburbs. My take is that while on a late night flight into Detroit he is reflecting on a recently ended relationship. And Detroit waves, spread out beneath me now.
There is fantastic meaning behind this song.
He's saying their best effort in the relationship wasn't quite good enough to make them want to stay.
"Knowing now how all our best intentions never lit the world on fire. Lights, illuminate the exit signs and over the wings the skies an open endless sea, crowding up surrounding me."
The grass is greener. The lit up exit signs signify how they felt there was more for them outside of the relationship.
Any help on the second stanza?
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets (If you ever decide to come back) bold enough to make believe that I was only there long enough to disappear (Shes making it out to be her fault) I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary (cynic means someone who believes everyone is selfish...so idk, i guess it means he still will love her (say her name to fall asleep) even if they're not together) a liar in his make believe (no clue)
Wow i didnt do a good job but w/e
I'm going to take a stab at the second verse
"and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets" When she's ready to start anew relationship with someone else. When she's over it.
"bold enough to make believe that I was only there long enough to disappear" By this point she's made herself believe the relationship was not as significant as it was. (i.e. I was only there long enough to disappear = makes herself believe it was over as soon as i started almost.
"I'll still, say your name to fall asleep" Even when she has reached that point, he'll still be in love with her and rely on her memory.
"over and over a cynic saying rosary; a liar in his make believe" Even though he knows there's no hope (is cynical), he'll lie to himself and make himself believe that there is.
That's my take on it.
so, we let it go to start again knowing now how all our best intentions never lit the world on fire and the lights, illuminate the exit signs and over the wings the skies an open endless sea, crowding up surrounding me
and all, of Detroit waves goodnight spread out beneath me now if I could, if I could change believe me I would, yes I would (for you)
and when, you're warm enough to share your sheets cold enough to it seem like I was only there long enough to disappear I'll still, say your name to fall asleep over and over a cynic saying rosary a liar in his make believe
and all, of Detroit waves goodnight spread out beneath me now if I could, if I could change believe me I would, yes I would and Detroit waves, Detroit waves
comes around around around comes around around around comes around around around again
and Detroit waves, goodnight spread out beneath me now if i could if I could change believe me I would yes I would, I would
Detroit waves Detroit waves