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've opened up my scars, I've released my past life
I've surrendered to a rain that speaks of a coming storm
Looking back, did I ever know how to look at life and how to appreciate it?
Guess I was lost in a time of taking things for granted and not looking around
I was lost in myself, oh, so lost in myself
So today I'm left on my own, my recent days have all been the same
My sanity will soon be consumed by this loneliness
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
Standing at the door to a place of my own
I will not ask of you, what you asked of me
I'll hide away from all the reaching hands
So that my past will remain untold
I don't need your helping hands
I'm sure I will find my way back
Like a raging storm, my past keeps coming on
Like a thousand daggers, my memories pierce me
My body and soul unite in pain
It all keeps increasing, all up until it is suddenly gone
The storm may be gone but it's not for long, it speaks to me
I'm granted just a short embrace of rest and peace
I've lost the race against my past
It's come for me laughing, to make me pay at last
Still all those years speak to me
I'll never open up and bare my shame to you
I've opened up the door to a place of my own
I did not ask of you, what you asked of me
I'll hide away from all the reaching hands
So that my past will remain untold
All through the years I've been walking alone
Except for the love that brought light in my life
I'll spare her this me and leave on my own
With the door closed behind me...
Was it all a mistake?
Should I have listened to you?
All of those helping hands
I kind of miss them now
Now that they're gone
I've surrendered to a rain that speaks of a coming storm
Looking back, did I ever know how to look at life and how to appreciate it?
Guess I was lost in a time of taking things for granted and not looking around
I was lost in myself, oh, so lost in myself
So today I'm left on my own, my recent days have all been the same
My sanity will soon be consumed by this loneliness
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
I'm lying in bed, going out of my head
Standing at the door to a place of my own
I will not ask of you, what you asked of me
I'll hide away from all the reaching hands
So that my past will remain untold
I don't need your helping hands
I'm sure I will find my way back
Like a raging storm, my past keeps coming on
Like a thousand daggers, my memories pierce me
My body and soul unite in pain
It all keeps increasing, all up until it is suddenly gone
The storm may be gone but it's not for long, it speaks to me
I'm granted just a short embrace of rest and peace
I've lost the race against my past
It's come for me laughing, to make me pay at last
Still all those years speak to me
I'll never open up and bare my shame to you
I've opened up the door to a place of my own
I did not ask of you, what you asked of me
I'll hide away from all the reaching hands
So that my past will remain untold
All through the years I've been walking alone
Except for the love that brought light in my life
I'll spare her this me and leave on my own
With the door closed behind me...
Was it all a mistake?
Should I have listened to you?
All of those helping hands
I kind of miss them now
Now that they're gone
Lyrics submitted by Idan
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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I don't know why, but I have instantly connected to this song, both musically (since this is my kind of thing) and on the lyrics level.
I guess it 'spoke' to me and reminded me of various aspects of my life.