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.
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?
It feels so different being here
I was so used to being next to you
Life for me is not the same
There's no one to talk to
Don't know why I let it go too far
Starting over is so hard
Seems like everywhere I try to go
I keep thinking of you
I just had a wake up call
Wishing that I never let you fall
Baby, you were not the blame at all
When I'm the one that pushed you away
Baby, if you knew I care
You wouldn't have never went nowhere (nowhere)
Girl, I should've been right there
How do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?
Girl, I'm losing my mind
Yes, I've made a mistake
I thought that you would be mine
Guess the joke was on me
I miss you so bad, I can't sleep
I wish I knew where you could be
Another dude is replacing me
God, this can't be happening
I just had a wake up call
Wishing that I never let you fall
Baby, you were not the blame at all
When I'm the one that pushed you away
Baby, if you knew I care
You wouldn't have never went nowhere (nowhere)
Girl, I should've been right there
And now I wonder
How do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me (I say)
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?
I should've brought my love home, girl
And baby, I ain't perfect, you know
The grind has got a tight hold
Girl, come back to me
'Cause girl, you made it hard to breathe
When you're not with me
Tell me, how do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe? (How do I breathe?)
Without you here by my side
How will I see? (How will I see you?)
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go? (Where do I go?)
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me (you're not with me)
How do I breathe? (How do I breathe?)
How do I breathe? (yeah)
How do I breathe?
It feels so different being here
I was so used to being next to you
Life for me is not the same
There's no one to talk to
Don't know why I let it go too far
Starting over is so hard
Seems like everywhere I try to go
I keep thinking of you
I just had a wake up call
Wishing that I never let you fall
Baby, you were not the blame at all
When I'm the one that pushed you away
Baby, if you knew I care
You wouldn't have never went nowhere (nowhere)
Girl, I should've been right there
How do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?
Girl, I'm losing my mind
Yes, I've made a mistake
I thought that you would be mine
Guess the joke was on me
I miss you so bad, I can't sleep
I wish I knew where you could be
Another dude is replacing me
God, this can't be happening
I just had a wake up call
Wishing that I never let you fall
Baby, you were not the blame at all
When I'm the one that pushed you away
Baby, if you knew I care
You wouldn't have never went nowhere (nowhere)
Girl, I should've been right there
And now I wonder
How do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me (I say)
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?
I should've brought my love home, girl
And baby, I ain't perfect, you know
The grind has got a tight hold
Girl, come back to me
'Cause girl, you made it hard to breathe
When you're not with me
Tell me, how do I breathe?
Without you here by my side
How will I see?
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go?
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe? (How do I breathe?)
Without you here by my side
How will I see? (How will I see you?)
When your love brought me to the light
Where do I go? (Where do I go?)
When your heart's where I lay my head
When you're not with me (you're not with me)
How do I breathe? (How do I breathe?)
How do I breathe? (yeah)
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
He loved, didn't tell her or express his feelings enough - she left and now he's trying to move on but he's finding it tough to go on without her.
Great song, great artist.
Wow, this song just hits home.
love this song
Its funny that this song is on SongMeanings but not on Itunes. But anway, Good song.
he didnt care about the relationship and didnt express his feelings to her, so she left him, and now he cant breathe coz he misses her . love the song
Feels so different being here I'm so used to being next to you Life for me is not the same There's no one to talk to Don't know why i let it go too far Starting over is so hard Seems like everywhere i try to go I keep thinking of you
so sad, its the gap left after, all he can think about is her.
this song is a killa for me, dont think theres been any other song to make me feel so down :(
this song reminds me of when i met the guy of my life he walked out of my life..:(