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.
ow can you be of God?
When you look, when you dress,
when you smell just like the world
Do you see me as being bad,
a friend your children shouldn’t have,
just one glance and you know what I’m about
It’s not the length of my hair, it’s not the clothes that I wear
But it’s the cross that I bear
Cause you know that I am
In the world not of it
Cause we gotta show the world He loves them
Even though we look the same we’re not the same
God where can I look for you?
What will it look like,
what will it be like when I gaze my eyes on you
Will I find You a hungry man, will I find You in a prison,
or will I find You in the office of a church?
When you look, when you dress,
when you smell just like the world
Do you see me as being bad,
a friend your children shouldn’t have,
just one glance and you know what I’m about
It’s not the length of my hair, it’s not the clothes that I wear
But it’s the cross that I bear
Cause you know that I am
In the world not of it
Cause we gotta show the world He loves them
Even though we look the same we’re not the same
God where can I look for you?
What will it look like,
what will it be like when I gaze my eyes on you
Will I find You a hungry man, will I find You in a prison,
or will I find You in the office of a church?
Lyrics submitted by kyleee
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
I love this song and comletely relate to it. I'm a hardcore Christian, but my long hair, pierced ear, and love for CHRISTIAN rock often repulses people.
This song was inspired by a preacher that Kevin saw on the street. After the man was finished, Kevin went up to him and thanked him for what he was doing. The preacher seemed surprised, and asked how Kevin could be a Christian when he looked, dressed, and smelled like the rest of the world.
But, according to 1Samuel 16:7 (which is where the chorus is derived from), "Man looks on the outside, but God looks in the heart."
Our outward appearance, so long as it does not dishonor God (i.e. paganistic symbolism, etc.), is of little importance. It is our fruit that God looks at.