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 turned around
Before I could run I found you already settled down in the back of my mind
I know this is just a customary feelin'
The moon is our deceiver that will leave you running blind
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If I didn't know any better
And I'd be in love with you
Didn't want to
Look in the eyes of the one that I would be drawn to
I'm a moth lost in a fire
And I know this is just a beautiful illusion,
A case of the confusion, between love and desire
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If I didn't know any better
And I'd be in love
When the flame burns out
And fine'ly settles down
And you'd forget I ever came around
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If didn't know any better
And I'd be in love with you
I turned around
Before I could run I found you already settled down in the back of my mind
Before I could run I found you already settled down in the back of my mind
I know this is just a customary feelin'
The moon is our deceiver that will leave you running blind
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If I didn't know any better
And I'd be in love with you
Didn't want to
Look in the eyes of the one that I would be drawn to
I'm a moth lost in a fire
And I know this is just a beautiful illusion,
A case of the confusion, between love and desire
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If I didn't know any better
And I'd be in love
When the flame burns out
And fine'ly settles down
And you'd forget I ever came around
Your heart is pullin'
If I didn't know any better
I'd be fallin'
Deeper and deeper it's true
I'd hear it callin'
If didn't know any better
And I'd be in love with you
I turned around
Before I could run I found you already settled down in the back of my mind
Lyrics submitted by moldbyhand
If I Didn't Know Any Better Lyrics as written by Mindy Smith John Scott Sherrill
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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