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.
With your eyes closed watching a strange show play out in your head,
But you were smiling somehow.
And your day froze and everyone in it sat still as a rose,
But we were moving somehow.
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
Open your eyes and the drops come in a snail race down to your neck.
And look up but you were smiling somehow
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we started losing who we were
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
(Back to when we started, losing who we were.)
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
(Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up.)
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we stated, losing who we were
(You'd break your neck to keep your chin up)
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
But you were smiling somehow.
And your day froze and everyone in it sat still as a rose,
But we were moving somehow.
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
Open your eyes and the drops come in a snail race down to your neck.
And look up but you were smiling somehow
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we started losing who we were
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
(Back to when we started, losing who we were.)
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
(Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up.)
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
You'd break your neck to keep your chin up.
Back to when we started, losing who we were.
Maybe we should only tip a bottle back to keep us filled up
Back to when we stated, losing who we were
(You'd break your neck to keep your chin up)
Everybody knows that you'd break your neck to keep your chin up
Lyrics submitted by remembermaine, edited by lolaranby
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
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
this song is fucking beautiful. i think its rather self-explanatory too, but...keep you're fucking chin up no matter how bad it hurts, break your neck to keep face.