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.
Alicia stands behind me
Ties black ribbon in my hair
The sound of heavy boots
Slowly pounding up the stairs
The organ pours out slow and soothing
Old and rugged hymns
I long to find some comfort
But my sorrow won’t give in
This is the coldest winter
In a thousand freezing years
And if I started crying
I could never stop the tears
You don’t know what you’ve done
Not here to see the repercussions of your love
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero anymore
Time is slowing down
Like a river clogged with mud
People gather round me
Some friends and others blood
The trumpeter starts playing taps
The soldiers fire their guns
The folding of the flag
Makes the tears come in a flood
You don’t know what you’ve done
Not here to see the repercussions of your love
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero anymore
No one would say you were an easy man
No, you are hard and stubborn and vain
And I’m tired of being held back at arms length
Tired, tired
And something’s gotta change
You don’t know what you’ve done
I didn’t break, no, I’ve grown strong
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero
You’re not my hero anymore
Anymore
Anymore
You’re not my hero anymore
Not here to face the consequences of your love
You’re not my hero anymore
Anymore
Anymore
Ties black ribbon in my hair
The sound of heavy boots
Slowly pounding up the stairs
The organ pours out slow and soothing
Old and rugged hymns
I long to find some comfort
But my sorrow won’t give in
This is the coldest winter
In a thousand freezing years
And if I started crying
I could never stop the tears
You don’t know what you’ve done
Not here to see the repercussions of your love
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero anymore
Time is slowing down
Like a river clogged with mud
People gather round me
Some friends and others blood
The trumpeter starts playing taps
The soldiers fire their guns
The folding of the flag
Makes the tears come in a flood
You don’t know what you’ve done
Not here to see the repercussions of your love
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero anymore
No one would say you were an easy man
No, you are hard and stubborn and vain
And I’m tired of being held back at arms length
Tired, tired
And something’s gotta change
You don’t know what you’ve done
I didn’t break, no, I’ve grown strong
You don’t know what you’ve done
You’re not my hero
You’re not my hero anymore
Anymore
Anymore
You’re not my hero anymore
Not here to face the consequences of your love
You’re not my hero anymore
Anymore
Anymore
Lyrics submitted by skttrbrain
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i'm disappointed that there aren't any comments yet. all of her songs are so pretty but this one's my favorite for the meaning, especially in the simple sad statement of the chorus.
i was, like you disappointed about the lack of comments.. so i did abit of research! On kate earls myspace page she talks alot about her family. Her father dropped out of 6th grade and in order to survive the great depression, he picked cotton for bowls of beans, then eventually lied about his age so he could serve in the Korean war to earn money to support his parents. He was a self made man. He eventually settled with a wife (Kates mother) and built a gas station with his own hands. Kate admired her father and he often taught her to persue her dreams. Unfortunately though, Kate's dad died the day before her 16th birthday after a long battle with cancer...<br /> <br /> After i had read this, the lyrics in this song were much clearer. hope this helps!<br /> <br />