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.
Was I left behind?
Someone tell me, tell me I survived
Don't look so surprised
That I'm home, but just for tonight
With rough hands and sore eyes
so don't speak, I am tired
Let's just live through this life
She says I swear too much
She says a lot of things
Well I'd swear every other word if I could for her
I'd make an attempt
Sometimes love isn't about how much someone suits you
But how much you're willing to change to suit them
All my bones are dust
Some people too damaged too much, too late
And my heart's sealed with rust
Some people too damaged too much, too late
These hands will always be rough
Some people too damaged too much, too late
I know this won't count for much
Some people too damaged too much, too late
One day my hands were too soft
One day she said, I'm tired
One day her clothes were on my floor
One day, empty bottles
Well I'm not saying she's my last
I'm just saying that she could have been
It doesn't matter how rough these hands get
It doesn't matter 'cause I'm not her man
Rough hands, rough days
Rough hands, rough nights
Rough hands, rough season
Rough hands, rough fights
All my bones are dust (rough hands, rough days)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
And my heart's sealed with rust (rough hands, rough season)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
These hands will always be rough (rough hands, rough days)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
I know this won't count for much (rough hands, rough season)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
Someone tell me, tell me I survived
Don't look so surprised
That I'm home, but just for tonight
With rough hands and sore eyes
so don't speak, I am tired
Let's just live through this life
She says I swear too much
She says a lot of things
Well I'd swear every other word if I could for her
I'd make an attempt
Sometimes love isn't about how much someone suits you
But how much you're willing to change to suit them
All my bones are dust
Some people too damaged too much, too late
And my heart's sealed with rust
Some people too damaged too much, too late
These hands will always be rough
Some people too damaged too much, too late
I know this won't count for much
Some people too damaged too much, too late
One day my hands were too soft
One day she said, I'm tired
One day her clothes were on my floor
One day, empty bottles
Well I'm not saying she's my last
I'm just saying that she could have been
It doesn't matter how rough these hands get
It doesn't matter 'cause I'm not her man
Rough hands, rough days
Rough hands, rough nights
Rough hands, rough season
Rough hands, rough fights
All my bones are dust (rough hands, rough days)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
And my heart's sealed with rust (rough hands, rough season)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
These hands will always be rough (rough hands, rough days)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
I know this won't count for much (rough hands, rough season)
Some people too damaged too much, too late
Lyrics submitted by _hideandseek, edited by punk2death
Rough Hands Lyrics as written by Wade Macneil Dallas Green
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think this song is about a guy who works all the time, and hates his life because he "has nothing", even though he has an awesome wife or girlfriend who loves him... He just doesn't see that because he's always tired from working so hard. Anyways, she eventually has enough and leaves him, and he realizes what happened but it's too late to get her back.
I would say this song is about how love can change a person for good or for bad.
The lyricist uses "rough hands" as an extended metaphor throughout the song to show how he himself changes.
The narrator has these "rough hands" at the start of the relationship but as it progresses and he tries to suit himself to this woman's "ideal" man he looses himself and gains "soft hands" due to having changed so much it highlights how, regardless of his "rough hands" she still chose him, she wanted him. Now that he has changed however she doesn't want him regardless of his "soft hands" seeing his mistake. He tries to change back but:
"It doesn't matter how rough these hands get. It doesn't matter cause I'm not her man."
I think that the first verse is how the narrator is now. Its all of the emotions that he feels after it has all ended... He then goes into detail almost like a flashback, or as if he is discussing the whole thing with someone else.
He says that he will change for her using "swearing" as an example
"For her i'll make an attempt"
All in all. An epic song.
A boyfriend breaks up with his girlfriend...or two partners break up She wakes up from crying..asks did she survive and was she left behind? She's questioning why he would do this. He comes home..but just for one night..to receive his stuff and to give hers back.. Her eyes are sore..tired from fighting to get him back. He asks if they can live through this lie...being the break up..because he did it because he thought it would end anyway even though he was still in love with her. She constantly tells him to change..for his own well being..he tries but fails..only attempting. She changes and is willing to grow with him instead of living without him. She is willing to change everything and turn her world upside down to suit him. The chorus : This is him speaking...he's empty and feels like he's alone and can't relate to her anymore..relate to anyone. He says sorry and hopes she'll be ok. He reminisces about her and empties bottles while doing so...numbing the pain of losing her. He wanted her to be the "One" but knew it wouldn't happen...he saw that she could have been his forever. He's too empty inside to keep a relationship and realizes he couldn't be the man she deserves. Again the chorus... Rough days and a rough season... This song feels like its both of them thinking and speaking...
Pa-leeeeeeeea-se........
Is the bit Wade sings in the background "Don't people do damage to you much too late?"
Sounds like it.
two people. too damaged. too much. too late.
Yeah, it sounds like it. I must say, this is a fantastic closing track to an album that threw me off my feet by track 2, so amazing. Brings everything to a nice close, slowing stuff down a bit.
i heard that this is their favourite song on the track. i can see why and im sure alot of people are going to love it. it's obviously the stand out track on the album.
I think it's actually George singing the back up vocals in the chorus, believe it or not. Not Wade. Incredible song.
the song is very ... slow ... i love it!!!
Personally I think it could be about his dad again. Or something. Maybe he's stressed from the work. Like it's following on from Boiled Frogs. Also... It does kinda sound like George singing "Don't people do damage to you much too late?" If you listen closely right at the start of it you hear George's scream for sure but then he sings normally after... :-S
lol well beats me ...awesome song though :D so is the whole album