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 pack my case, I check my face
I look a little bit older
I look a little bit colder
With one deep breath, and one big step
I move a little bit closer, I move a little bit closer
For reasons unknown
I caught my stride, I flew and flied
I know if destiny's kind, I've got the rest on my mind
Well, my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes
They don't see you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
It was an open chair
We sat down in the open chair
I said, if destiny's kind, I've got the rest on my mind
But my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes
They don't see you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you at all
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
I said, my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
I look a little bit older
I look a little bit colder
With one deep breath, and one big step
I move a little bit closer, I move a little bit closer
For reasons unknown
I caught my stride, I flew and flied
I know if destiny's kind, I've got the rest on my mind
Well, my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes
They don't see you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
It was an open chair
We sat down in the open chair
I said, if destiny's kind, I've got the rest on my mind
But my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes
They don't see you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you at all
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
I said, my heart
It don't beat, it don't beat the way it used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
And my lips
They don't kiss, they don't kiss the way they used to
And my eyes don't recognize you no more
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
For reasons unknown
Lyrics submitted by georgie, edited by metsgiantsfan
For Reasons Unknown Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I think it's fairly obvious that this song is about falling out of love and wanting that lost passion back. For those that need a little convincing:
Have you people ever loved somebody? Sometimes it comes very quickly, very easily As easy as the way a beautiful English girls hair falls across her shoulder Sometimes it disappears just as quick You wake up one morning The butterflies stop fluttering But you want it back and you want to fight for it You want to breath that fire again So you call for it, you call out
(Source: youtube.com/watch - The Killers Live Albert Hall )
These are Brandon Flowers own words during the Albert Hall concert. I think this is the true meaning behind the song. But feel free to interpret it any way you like. :)