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.
If you look at your reflection at the bottom of the well
What you see is only on the surface
When you try to see the meaning, hidden underneath
The measure of the depth can be deceiving
The bottom has a rocky reputation
You can feel it in the distance the deeper down
You stare
From up above it's hard to see
But you know when you're there
On the bottom words are shallow
The surface talk is cheap
You can only judge the distance by the company you keep
In the eyes of the confessor
In the eyes of the confessor
There's no place you can hide
You can't hide from the eyes (of the confessor)
Don't you even try
In the eyes of the confessor
You can't tell a lie
You cannot tell a lie (to the confessor)
Strip you down to size
Naked as the day that you were born
Naked as the day that you were born
Take all the trauma, drama, comments
The guilt and doubt and shame
The what if's and if only's
The shackles and the chains
The violence and aggression
The pettiness and scorn
The jealousy and hatred
The tempest and discord
And give it up
What you see is only on the surface
When you try to see the meaning, hidden underneath
The measure of the depth can be deceiving
The bottom has a rocky reputation
You can feel it in the distance the deeper down
You stare
From up above it's hard to see
But you know when you're there
On the bottom words are shallow
The surface talk is cheap
You can only judge the distance by the company you keep
In the eyes of the confessor
In the eyes of the confessor
There's no place you can hide
You can't hide from the eyes (of the confessor)
Don't you even try
In the eyes of the confessor
You can't tell a lie
You cannot tell a lie (to the confessor)
Strip you down to size
Naked as the day that you were born
Naked as the day that you were born
Take all the trauma, drama, comments
The guilt and doubt and shame
The what if's and if only's
The shackles and the chains
The violence and aggression
The pettiness and scorn
The jealousy and hatred
The tempest and discord
And give it up
Lyrics submitted by T_D_Phoenix, edited by jimmy11038
The Confessor Lyrics as written by Joe Walsh
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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The hardest thing for a person to do is take a good look at themselves! With truth comes change! Yeah, that's what's this song is about! Parts of the self have to die to be born again, self awareness, self realization! JUST SAYING
Love this: "On the bottom words are shallow on the surface talk is cheap you can finally judge the distance by the company you keep"
I've little doubt the main part of the song DID inspire the Confessors of the SoT series... I can't find any reference that Goodkind has said as such, though. Anyone?
'In the eyes of the confessor, There's no place you can hide You can't hide from the eyes (of the confessor) Don't you even try. In the eyes of the confessor You can't tell a lie You cannot tell a lie'
Anyone can tell a lie under ANY torture, and many have doubtlessly done so, but under a SoT Confessor, it simply is not possible. Except, of course, for one who already truly loves her of their own free will, unequivocally. :D Those persons can lie to her. I'll see my way out...
Joe stood before God. The first thing God does is shows you that he knows everything about you. He has been right beside you every second of every day.You instanley know all the way through your soul that there are no lies.There is no blaming anyone else there is no place to run you know through your very being that he is real hes with you and he knows evrything about you.and he has the power to send you to heavan or hell at that moment your nakedness is horrifying to you in front of God.The reality that he is I Am The One True God Alpha And Omega is beyond human comprehension.This Is what happend to Joe Walsh and this is what the confessor is about.
@Confess Every one of us will stand before the confessor and what is writen in this song is exactly what will happen.And belive me its not funny by any means.<br />
It truly is about getting to know one's self! It is Step 4 of the 12 Steps in Alcoholics Anonymous! That's where Joe came up with this song! Very great song! One of my all-time favorites!
A great song, fabulous guitar work. One of my all-time favorites, for sure!
Joe is better known as the clown prince of the Eagles (Life's Been Good, Rocky Mountain Way), so it was nice to see a song like this, spiritual and meaningful, get such good reception. Very powerful.
@arob3000 The songs you mention are from his solo recordings, and not with the Eagles.
I wonder if this is in reference to Confessors in the Sword of Truth books by Terry Goodkind, also popularized on TV as Legend of the Seeker. A Confessor is a magical woman who, by touching you and releasing her power, can take control of your mind and prompt you to tell or do anything.
Hmmm. The song was released in 1985 and the first book was published in 1994.
Good correlation! While woman are not magical, they indeed have the power of seduction, leading any red-blooded man into temptation!
Good correlation! While woman are not magical, they indeed have the power of seduction, leading any red-blooded man into temptation!
Good correlation! While woman are not magical, they indeed have the power of seduction, leading any red-blooded man into temptation!
good lord temptation777, whatever were you thinking?
@Myuz It does mention tempest in lyrics. (Always one around)<br />
.... Huh.
Yeah, this is a weird one.
@42 steps You think? I think it's very straightforward and honest!