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.
I'll never forget the first day I met her,
That September morning was clear and fresh;
The way she spoke, and laughed at my jokes and the way she rubbed herself against the edge of my desk..
She became a magic mystery to me and we'd sit together in double history twice a week and some days we'd walk the same way home and it's surprising how quick a little rain can clear the streets.
We dreamed of her and compared our dreams, but that was all that I ever tasted,
For she lied to me with her body, you see,
I lied to myself about the chances I wasted.
The times we were close were far and few between,
In the darkness of the dances in the school canteen - did she close her eyes as I did when we held each other tight?
And la la la la la la la la laa means I love you...
She danced with me and I still hold that memory
Soft and sweet
And I stare up at her window
As I walk down her street
But I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh
And she could never come to the phone - she was always in the bath.
In the end it took me a dictionary to find out the meaning of unrequieted,
While she was giving herself for free
At a party to which I was never invited.
I never understood my failings then,
and I hide my humble hopes now;
Thinking back, she made us want her,
A girl not old enough to shave her legs
That September morning was clear and fresh;
The way she spoke, and laughed at my jokes and the way she rubbed herself against the edge of my desk..
She became a magic mystery to me and we'd sit together in double history twice a week and some days we'd walk the same way home and it's surprising how quick a little rain can clear the streets.
We dreamed of her and compared our dreams, but that was all that I ever tasted,
For she lied to me with her body, you see,
I lied to myself about the chances I wasted.
The times we were close were far and few between,
In the darkness of the dances in the school canteen - did she close her eyes as I did when we held each other tight?
And la la la la la la la la laa means I love you...
She danced with me and I still hold that memory
Soft and sweet
And I stare up at her window
As I walk down her street
But I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh
And she could never come to the phone - she was always in the bath.
In the end it took me a dictionary to find out the meaning of unrequieted,
While she was giving herself for free
At a party to which I was never invited.
I never understood my failings then,
and I hide my humble hopes now;
Thinking back, she made us want her,
A girl not old enough to shave her legs
Lyrics submitted by Random Boy
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
This is truly the best song ever.
I agree. Possibly my favourite lyrics of all time. Perfectly evoking memories of school crushes etc.