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.
Coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I never
I never
I never
I never
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
I never
I never
I never
I never
Lyrics submitted by Linger:, edited by ipseudonym, daster96, jamietags
Mr. Brightside Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Personally, I think this song is about a the guy who fell in love with a girl then she broke it off with him and he broke down. He finally came to his senses and get back into reality and go out and moveD on with his life, "I'm coming out of my cage And I've been doing just fine Got to, got to be down Because I want it all"
He eventually realizes that he didnt make it far with this girl "It started out with a kiss How did it end up like this? It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss"
But, he fell in love with her and wanted to keep her.
He soon realizes, he just isnt over this girl and when he goes to sleep he has a dream "Now I'm falling asleep"
In this dream he sees the girl calling a cab, the guy is taking a smoke, etc. (Going on a date with another man)
After that in the dream, he sees them getting it on in the bedroom and he realizes he is completely jealous and hasn't moved on from this girl. And the jealousy is "taking control."
To be honest, I love the chorus, but it is really hard to understand. I think it could mean that his jealousy and everyone elses jealousy is just a devil to us all
This part could mean that he just finding his way through all the songs/lullabies that can help him sleep at night but its really just a sickness, not a cure and it wont help him get over the girl.
This part is somewhat confusing I don't know if its talking about him or the girl but I assumed it was about the girl choking on her false stories of who she was with and what she was doing.
In this part, I think he finally realizes that he wasn't destined to be with the girl and that's why he has the price to pay of losing her and finding the right one. So now, he must open up his eyes to see what his life meaning is and be a "Mr. Brightside" and keep his hopes up.