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.
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
Just like the Mississippi
Our journey starts in Minnesota
Take I-35 to 90
Soon through South Dakota
Big hi to that country road
Are we gonna make it on down?
She said yeah, Tim, good to see ya
Hope you all stick around
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
Get down when I wanna, man
Get through the darkest night
We were born to ride, now baby
Ride until the morning light
Took a trip down to Kansas
Missouri, then Arkansas
Stayed with her sister
That girl's above the law
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
It's a mad house, baby
Fast women, cocaine and booze
Toughest of the roughest
I got nothing to lose
Before I met ya
Everything was going wrong
It been a long journey now
Girl I wanna take you home
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
Just like the Mississippi
Our journey starts in Minnesota
Take I-35 to 90
Soon through South Dakota
Big hi to that country road
Are we gonna make it on down?
She said yeah, Tim, good to see ya
Hope you all stick around
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
Get down when I wanna, man
Get through the darkest night
We were born to ride, now baby
Ride until the morning light
Took a trip down to Kansas
Missouri, then Arkansas
Stayed with her sister
That girl's above the law
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
It's a mad house, baby
Fast women, cocaine and booze
Toughest of the roughest
I got nothing to lose
Before I met ya
Everything was going wrong
It been a long journey now
Girl I wanna take you home
The futures not the hardest to see
Do what you do girl
But please don't leave
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
And if you choose to leave me, girl, I'll understand
I'm gonna hold on to you as long as I can
Lyrics submitted by punkpirate
Hold On Lyrics as written by Timothy Armstrong
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Awesome song from a truly creative spirit. The song obivously represents the journey for Tim as he moves from one soft and fuzzy relationship (almost as if it was an experiment) back to something his past better relates to:
It's a mad house, baby Fast women, cocaine and booze Toughest of the roughest I got nothing to lose
Btw, this song and video are both free to download from the epitaph and hellcat websites. Spread the word. Releasing an album for free - anarchy lives.
Tim's music is not about the songs. It's bigger than they will ever be. This free album affirms that.
Get amonxt it punx