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 won't deny, I faked it
Don't wanna lie, I'm jaded
I wanna scream when inside I'm breaking down
I've left the stone I was under
I'm running home, you won't find her
She walks alone all through this broken town
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
I blow away the ashes
I clear space to look at him
He stole my name while I waited lost and found
I found a place where I'll keep you
'Cause I won't live through you or beneath you
I walk this way where these winds won't bring me down
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me don't
Let me be
Stayin' at all
Don't waste it on me
'Cause if I take a chance
And if I hurt again
And if I let you leave
Be my reckoning
Ooh, hey
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
Don't wanna lie, I'm jaded
I wanna scream when inside I'm breaking down
I've left the stone I was under
I'm running home, you won't find her
She walks alone all through this broken town
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
I blow away the ashes
I clear space to look at him
He stole my name while I waited lost and found
I found a place where I'll keep you
'Cause I won't live through you or beneath you
I walk this way where these winds won't bring me down
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me don't
Let me be
Stayin' at all
Don't waste it on me
'Cause if I take a chance
And if I hurt again
And if I let you leave
Be my reckoning
Ooh, hey
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
Lyrics submitted by x0xReady4Youx0x
Criminal Lyrics as written by Brendan James Johnson Alexzandra Spencer Johnson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
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”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
I can't believe nobody has commented this song. It's the most awesome song, I love Alexz's stuff, i listen to this song as weel as some of her others when I'm angry, they're so relieving and I can relate to them so much! This one is so great, i love the 'I found a place, where I’ll keep you Cause I won’t live through you or beneath you' this is such a strong line, its like shes realised that she cant be with this guy she likes, so shes just putting him away at the back of her mind.
i know! i happens to me too...whenever im angry i'll listen to it .. i like when she says "he stole my name while i waited lost and found" i think it means that when she was all lost and suffering he even came to complete her misery thats an awesome metaphor or wtv
Wow, this song just shows how much a guy can mess a girl up. He messed her and she's escaped from him and is trying to find a way to not get back under his spell.