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 can hear their song from miles away.
It's carried in the wind.
Its melody is sung to me in miracles.
The sun rises over the sea.
When I hear their love song.
I don't understand.
From out beyond the shadows.
I can hear it calling me.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
This melody kills me.
It's out of key and foolish.
But I think I might just like it.
If I could just get past my pride.
I turn my head and look away.
'Cause you know it hurts to see the light of day.
When I hear their love song.
I don't understand.
From out beyond the shadows.
I can hear it calling me.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
The whole world hates you.
The whole world hates your song.
Oh God I'm a sinner and I think I wanna sing along.
The whole world hates you.
The whole world hates your song.
And I wanna sing.
I wanna sing along.
Heaven's not so far away.
I can hear its melody from here in the waiting room of hell.
Well heaven's not so far away.
I can hear its melody calling me.
Calling me home.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
And honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, I need you.
Can you hear my prayer way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly, I've never really been honest with myself.
Well this melody heals my wounds.
And I can't get it out of my head.
It's carried in the wind.
Its melody is sung to me in miracles.
The sun rises over the sea.
When I hear their love song.
I don't understand.
From out beyond the shadows.
I can hear it calling me.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
This melody kills me.
It's out of key and foolish.
But I think I might just like it.
If I could just get past my pride.
I turn my head and look away.
'Cause you know it hurts to see the light of day.
When I hear their love song.
I don't understand.
From out beyond the shadows.
I can hear it calling me.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
The whole world hates you.
The whole world hates your song.
Oh God I'm a sinner and I think I wanna sing along.
The whole world hates you.
The whole world hates your song.
And I wanna sing.
I wanna sing along.
Heaven's not so far away.
I can hear its melody from here in the waiting room of hell.
Well heaven's not so far away.
I can hear its melody calling me.
Calling me home.
Honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, where are you?
Can you hear my scream way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly if I'm honest with myself.
I hate the song they sing.
It's like salt on an open wound.
But I can't get it out of my head.
And honestly, if I'm honest with myself.
I've cried myself to sleep.
Crying out, 'Oh God, I need you.
Can you hear my prayer way up there.
Through the clouds, in heaven?
Do you even care?'
And honestly, I've never really been honest with myself.
Well this melody heals my wounds.
And I can't get it out of my head.
Lyrics submitted by MaVeRiX
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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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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
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I think that in this song he is talking about how he is a sinner. And the melody is God calling out to him, and he knows its calling to him, but deep down he wants to live life his own way and not the way God wants us to. And he tells us about how almost everyone is the same way as him and that we need to turn around our lives.