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.
You were the one
That I couldn't find
Hidden away
In the ups of my mind
Why did I let you go
You're to good to be true
I messed it up and now I don't know what to do
We ran in circles and wasted time
From right to wrong
From right to wrong
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
I over thought
So I locked up my heart yeah
There you stood
You're blue eyes hidden underneath your hurt
Why did I let you go
You're to good to be true
I messed it up and now I don't know what to do
We ran in circles and wasted time
From right to wrong
From right to wrong
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
My mind is blank just like a deep sleep
With a meeting with a guy with the same blue eyes
And the same name with a colored shoe
I can't believe they have the same hat with my old mate
Then I will make another mistake
And think that he's just another fake
Wish I could erase the past
Wish I could bring you back
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
That I couldn't find
Hidden away
In the ups of my mind
Why did I let you go
You're to good to be true
I messed it up and now I don't know what to do
We ran in circles and wasted time
From right to wrong
From right to wrong
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
I over thought
So I locked up my heart yeah
There you stood
You're blue eyes hidden underneath your hurt
Why did I let you go
You're to good to be true
I messed it up and now I don't know what to do
We ran in circles and wasted time
From right to wrong
From right to wrong
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
My mind is blank just like a deep sleep
With a meeting with a guy with the same blue eyes
And the same name with a colored shoe
I can't believe they have the same hat with my old mate
Then I will make another mistake
And think that he's just another fake
Wish I could erase the past
Wish I could bring you back
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
If I knew that you were mine
I wouldn't have wasted time
I wish I could erase the past
Now its all collapsed
In my lap
Lyrics submitted by x0xReady4Youx0x, edited by PinkInk
Collapsed Lyrics as written by Alyson Michalka
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Also, now that I'm relistening, I think this song could also be about a girl who thinks that a guy is cheating on her, so she "locks up her heart" and tries to move on. However, she realizes he wasn't cheating or really was there for her for the right reasons and she realizes he wasn't a fake all along... but now it's too late, he's already mad at her for not trusting him. If she knew that he was hers all along, this never would've happened, and now their relationship is ruined. ("Bet I'll make another mistake and think he's just another fake") This is the line that gives me that idea. She'll meet another guy that's just like him but she might make the same mistake as this time and think he's not here for the right reasons/cheating/ a fake. Also she might have trust issues but he really was the good guy... she just wishes she knew that sooner.