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.
Are you afraid, afraid of the truth
In the mirror staring back at you?
The image is cracked, but so is the view, yeah
And the strength of a tree begins in the roots
That I tend to bury into you
At least now the storm can't blow me away
So crawl inside
My head with me
I'll show you how
It feels to be
To blame like me
Should I be afraid, of this face that I see
In the mirror staring back at me
So cold were the days, when I listened to you
And you say that I'm weak, so show me the proof
Because I still exist in spite of you
But I won't compete, with you every day
So crawl inside
My head with me
I'll show you how
It feels to be
To blame like me
Schizophrenic conversations
That I'm always having with myself
I hear these voices in my head competing
Maybe I could use a little help
I still have schizophrenic conversations
When there's no one else around to hear
And I long for solitude and peace within me
Void of all the anger and the fear
So crawl inside
My head with me
And I'll show you how it feels to be
Fucked up like me
I'll show how it feels to be
To blame like me
Ashamed like me
In the mirror staring back at you?
The image is cracked, but so is the view, yeah
And the strength of a tree begins in the roots
That I tend to bury into you
At least now the storm can't blow me away
So crawl inside
My head with me
I'll show you how
It feels to be
To blame like me
Should I be afraid, of this face that I see
In the mirror staring back at me
So cold were the days, when I listened to you
And you say that I'm weak, so show me the proof
Because I still exist in spite of you
But I won't compete, with you every day
So crawl inside
My head with me
I'll show you how
It feels to be
To blame like me
Schizophrenic conversations
That I'm always having with myself
I hear these voices in my head competing
Maybe I could use a little help
I still have schizophrenic conversations
When there's no one else around to hear
And I long for solitude and peace within me
Void of all the anger and the fear
So crawl inside
My head with me
And I'll show you how it feels to be
Fucked up like me
I'll show how it feels to be
To blame like me
Ashamed like me
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
Nothing as great as watching the entire band perform this acoustic.