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.
For days I've searched for the words
So I don't make a mess of this
I'll trade my eyes for a fleeting wish
I woke at 7am
The cold air was not becoming
This tune I started humming
And you lay there so still
With dark eyes shut and whiskey breath
You hadn't taken off your black dress
The curtain fell from it's rail
I shut the window so it wouldn't shatter
But it was nothing it didn't matter
To me our lives are barely built to last
How did you creep up on me so damn fast my dear?
I sat in the kitchen and thought
I've had a few knocks here and there
Was mostly my fault so I don't care
You said I have a bad side
It comes when all the clocks have stopped
I feel my heart begin to drop
To me our lives are fast approaching death
So lets go out in my suit and your black dress
So I don't make a mess of this
I'll trade my eyes for a fleeting wish
I woke at 7am
The cold air was not becoming
This tune I started humming
And you lay there so still
With dark eyes shut and whiskey breath
You hadn't taken off your black dress
The curtain fell from it's rail
I shut the window so it wouldn't shatter
But it was nothing it didn't matter
To me our lives are barely built to last
How did you creep up on me so damn fast my dear?
I sat in the kitchen and thought
I've had a few knocks here and there
Was mostly my fault so I don't care
You said I have a bad side
It comes when all the clocks have stopped
I feel my heart begin to drop
To me our lives are fast approaching death
So lets go out in my suit and your black dress
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song to me is about a guy who wants to apologize to a girl for something he did and he wants to fix it before time runs out. That is probably not what it means but it was worth a shot. lol.
My favorite part: To me our lives are barely built to last How did you creep up on me so damn fast my dear?