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.
Don't take this the wrong way
But you will never get
The satisfaction you desire
This is not a punishment
It's just a simple fact
When you try to find your happiness
In someone who can't give it back
You'll get burned
And after one time
Most would just say lesson learned
But you keep
Holding on
Hope you'll break him down
But you're the one who's breaking now
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was only a dream
How could you ever believe
It was real
Do you still believe in fairy tales, too
Oh but don't take this the wrong way
I'm not trying to put you down
You've been doing that well on your own
Living by the modern martyr's philosophy
If you can't get love, get sympathy yeah
Honestly, do you really need
Somebody to put you on your knees
You can take the fall
But you're afraid to walk again
Or will you break if you bend
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was only a dream
How could you ever believe it
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was just make-believe
Stop deceiving yourself
And grow up, grow up
I am not impossible
And you are not a dream
Nothing can compare
To getting high on self-esteem
Maybe I'll be your regret
But you will not be my mistake
You are just a lesson
I refuse to learn until I
Break
Walk away, walk away, walk away
But you will never get
The satisfaction you desire
This is not a punishment
It's just a simple fact
When you try to find your happiness
In someone who can't give it back
You'll get burned
And after one time
Most would just say lesson learned
But you keep
Holding on
Hope you'll break him down
But you're the one who's breaking now
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was only a dream
How could you ever believe
It was real
Do you still believe in fairy tales, too
Oh but don't take this the wrong way
I'm not trying to put you down
You've been doing that well on your own
Living by the modern martyr's philosophy
If you can't get love, get sympathy yeah
Honestly, do you really need
Somebody to put you on your knees
You can take the fall
But you're afraid to walk again
Or will you break if you bend
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was only a dream
How could you ever believe it
Don't be so naive
Don't be so naive
It was just make-believe
Stop deceiving yourself
And grow up, grow up
I am not impossible
And you are not a dream
Nothing can compare
To getting high on self-esteem
Maybe I'll be your regret
But you will not be my mistake
You are just a lesson
I refuse to learn until I
Break
Walk away, walk away, walk away
Lyrics submitted by killstar
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.