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.
Do you throw it in the well
Wishing you had someone to tell
What it was that you wished for
So it couldn't come true anymore
I've thrown so much away
These times die and stay alive
I've gone and I've stayed
And though both happened
At the same time
I know which one I like
And which one I hate
You never change to fire if you're ice
Even if you melt on a table and dry
And that table is burned
I'll tell you why
'Cause you stayed by going away
And life changes not you
Life changes not you
Every time is contained in now
Now is only time anything happens
Though one moments shot
In infinity's rounds
Now is the one time
Anything happens here
Here, here, here
Here, here, here
Wishing you had someone to tell
What it was that you wished for
So it couldn't come true anymore
I've thrown so much away
These times die and stay alive
I've gone and I've stayed
And though both happened
At the same time
I know which one I like
And which one I hate
You never change to fire if you're ice
Even if you melt on a table and dry
And that table is burned
I'll tell you why
'Cause you stayed by going away
And life changes not you
Life changes not you
Every time is contained in now
Now is only time anything happens
Though one moments shot
In infinity's rounds
Now is the one time
Anything happens here
Here, here, here
Here, here, here
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my most favorite JF songs (and I love them all!), not only because it is so beautiful musically but the thoughts and emotions conveyed are also so beautiful. I think it is about being true to one's self, through times high and low ('life changes not you') and that through these hardships, he found his true self.
I've gone and I've stayed And though both happened At the same time I know which one I like And which one I hate
And as usual, he talks about the insignificance of time, that you can make mistakes but you can always make it up.
The first paragraph alludes to wishing for someone who can understand him, but I don't think it is in the literal sense. I think the song is about understanding one's self and being content with who you are.