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.
It wasn't so long ago
I remember time's where life was so cold
Everything was dark and still
I thought I had a chance in life
The demons called my name
They dragged me inside the chambers of hell
No one could hear me, I bled tears of pain
Son, confront me
The road to devastation
Kneel before me
The road to devastation
Inhale, exhale
The road to devastation
This is my life
The road to devastation
The sun would rise, the hope would die inside
Another day of misery as the clock turns to agony
Feel the sense of lost time
When everything falls to pieces
And left with a glimpse of light
It wasn't so long ago
I remember time's where life was so cold
Everything was dark and still
I thought I had a chance in life
The demons called my name
They dragged me inside the chambers of hell
No one could hear me, I bled tears of pain
Son, confront me
The road to devastation
Kneel before me
The road to devastation
Inhale, exhale
The road to devastation
This is my life
The road to devastation
I remember time's where life was so cold
Everything was dark and still
I thought I had a chance in life
The demons called my name
They dragged me inside the chambers of hell
No one could hear me, I bled tears of pain
Son, confront me
The road to devastation
Kneel before me
The road to devastation
Inhale, exhale
The road to devastation
This is my life
The road to devastation
The sun would rise, the hope would die inside
Another day of misery as the clock turns to agony
Feel the sense of lost time
When everything falls to pieces
And left with a glimpse of light
It wasn't so long ago
I remember time's where life was so cold
Everything was dark and still
I thought I had a chance in life
The demons called my name
They dragged me inside the chambers of hell
No one could hear me, I bled tears of pain
Son, confront me
The road to devastation
Kneel before me
The road to devastation
Inhale, exhale
The road to devastation
This is my life
The road to devastation
Lyrics submitted by thienosaurus
The Road to Devastation Lyrics as written by Maurizio Iacono Jean Francois Dagenais
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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