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.
The smell of incense
It fills the air inside this room
Casablanca lillies strewn about the floor
A casket lined with pills
And the bitter taste of absinthe to wash it down
And so it ends like it began
A tattered cross along this interstate
A worn inscription all cracked and faded
These etchings will remain
When bodies turn to dust
And from this monument
I will drown inside the anguish of your heart
A new dawn broke this morning
Tears were raining in this room
As pure as holy water
Reflecting images of you
This world is like a whore
So ravishing, so beautiful
So bitter cold and all alone
And if I had my way
We'd wake up on the day we met
I'd stare into your heart for hours
And try to make you hear the sweetest thoughts
But not tonight
We die inside each other arms
We revel in our last embrace
I steal a breath right from your heart
And kiss you as we die
I rest my lifeless head upon your heart forever
Maybe I'll greet sunlight after all
I'm sorry
It fills the air inside this room
Casablanca lillies strewn about the floor
A casket lined with pills
And the bitter taste of absinthe to wash it down
And so it ends like it began
A tattered cross along this interstate
A worn inscription all cracked and faded
These etchings will remain
When bodies turn to dust
And from this monument
I will drown inside the anguish of your heart
A new dawn broke this morning
Tears were raining in this room
As pure as holy water
Reflecting images of you
This world is like a whore
So ravishing, so beautiful
So bitter cold and all alone
And if I had my way
We'd wake up on the day we met
I'd stare into your heart for hours
And try to make you hear the sweetest thoughts
But not tonight
We die inside each other arms
We revel in our last embrace
I steal a breath right from your heart
And kiss you as we die
I rest my lifeless head upon your heart forever
Maybe I'll greet sunlight after all
I'm sorry
Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11
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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.
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I believe this was inspired by Romeo and Juliet's final act: Act 5 , Scene 3 A churchyard; in it a tomb belonging to the Capulets ....
oh I believe there's a few minor corrections needed:
Casablanca lillies , ..taste of Absinthe... and I'm pretty sure (even tough the vocal is kinda faded) that on the last verse Kris sings ..I'll greet sunlight after all
this song reminds me of the french movie, jeux d'enfants. (eng. "love me if you dare")
has the same dramatic ending and it gives me the goosebumps whenever i listen to this song and think of that one particular scene in the film.
the leaked "unmastered album" version didn't live up to my expectations. i heard kris play this live and acoustic and it was just beautiful. hopefully the final product will be mixed differently.
I thought of Romeo and Juliet when I read this, too. but then why is it scene four instead of three in the title...? other than that I really get the Romeo and Juliet feeling.
Kris said someone once asked him how he wanted to die... and so he wrote this song.
"And if I had my way, we'd wake up on the day we met..."
...I know the feeling. Of wanting to back to the very beginning... if only, right.
I was wrong with some of the previous corrections correction needed:
''cast of light colorly strewn about the floor '' instead of casablanca lillies
and
''a worn inscription all cracked and faded these actions will remain ''
instead of holy scriptures and these edges..
You're right those are better.
Well, colorly sounds possible, but it's not actually a word. I don't know.
strong contrast to “my reply”. Sorta justs gives in here
i definately though romeo and juliet when i read.. "And if I had my way We'd wake up on the day we met I'd stare into your heart for hours And try to make you hear the sweetest thoughts But not tonight We die inside each other arms We revel in our last embrace I steal a breath right from your heart And kiss you as we die"
this is an amazing song.
The Song Is Actually Act V: Scene V: And So It Ends Like It Begins