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.
Wake me up before I drop out on you
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
Let's sift through the haze of the past seven days
Blow your mind
A bubble bath
Monday looks divine
Let's trip through the maze
Away from everybody's games
If I stop grip on
A sugar dip
I guess I'm getting mine
Was it just the margaritas or are you lookin' at me?
Without a fuss you're getting us
Ever so slightly messed up
Is it just the margaritas or are you talkin' to me?
Feels like I'm back at school
Makes me want to break the rules
Wake me up before I drop out on you
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
Always feel we're fighting a war
Always thought that you were so cool
Now I realize you've been shared
I think you're off your head
Dressed up and put on my make up
My best face just for you
I'm sad to hear that you feel sugar
Now you know what I can do
Don't waste your time
(Don't waste your time)
You know my passion is to yours of mine
Just read the signs
(Just read the signs)
Your passion belongs to me
My feel tonight
Wake me up before I drop out on you
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
(Don't waste your time)
(Don't waste your time)
(Just read the signs)
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
Let's sift through the haze of the past seven days
Blow your mind
A bubble bath
Monday looks divine
Let's trip through the maze
Away from everybody's games
If I stop grip on
A sugar dip
I guess I'm getting mine
Was it just the margaritas or are you lookin' at me?
Without a fuss you're getting us
Ever so slightly messed up
Is it just the margaritas or are you talkin' to me?
Feels like I'm back at school
Makes me want to break the rules
Wake me up before I drop out on you
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
Always feel we're fighting a war
Always thought that you were so cool
Now I realize you've been shared
I think you're off your head
Dressed up and put on my make up
My best face just for you
I'm sad to hear that you feel sugar
Now you know what I can do
Don't waste your time
(Don't waste your time)
You know my passion is to yours of mine
Just read the signs
(Just read the signs)
Your passion belongs to me
My feel tonight
Wake me up before I drop out on you
You treat me rough to show that you care
And I just can't refuse baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my bed
Instead I'll be subdued
Wake me up before I drop out on you
The TV lights is working all right
It feels so good to lose baby
If I had a promise from you
I'd get up and out of my head
Instead I'm so confused
(Don't waste your time)
(Don't waste your time)
(Just read the signs)
Lyrics submitted by babysmurf0583
Wake Me Up Lyrics as written by Lisa Cowling Miranda Cooper
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
Hmm... Some lines are actually:
"The tv life is working alright". "A vice like grip on the sugar dip". "You always were a dye in the wool". "I'm sad to hear that you're still shook up". "You know your passion is so yours and mine". "You passion belongs to me, myself and I".