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.
Who do you carry the torch for my young man?
Do you believe in anything?
Do you carry it around just to burn things down?
Meet me tonight on the turnpike, my darling
Cause we believe in everything,
If we sweat all these debts then we're sure to drown
So we'll strap ourselves up to this engine now,
With a God that we found laying under the backseat.
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
All that you've taught is to ignore the things I was showing
And sweep me under the rug,
You're beating with a book everyone that book tells you to love,
There is an ember in the heart of the kiln and its burning hot with love,
Burning out my center till there's nothing but dust,
Rolling me with care into your cigarette,
Cause the God I believe in never worked on a campaign trail.
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end, you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
Who do you carry that torch for my young man?
Do you believe in anything?
Do you carry it around just to burn things to the ground?
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
(feels like we could escape, I don't mind throwing away the filthy silver song.)
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
(if you try running the maze of your lies it's too hard to save,
If you've thrown out everyone.)
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end, you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
Do you believe in anything?
Do you carry it around just to burn things down?
Meet me tonight on the turnpike, my darling
Cause we believe in everything,
If we sweat all these debts then we're sure to drown
So we'll strap ourselves up to this engine now,
With a God that we found laying under the backseat.
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
All that you've taught is to ignore the things I was showing
And sweep me under the rug,
You're beating with a book everyone that book tells you to love,
There is an ember in the heart of the kiln and its burning hot with love,
Burning out my center till there's nothing but dust,
Rolling me with care into your cigarette,
Cause the God I believe in never worked on a campaign trail.
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end, you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
Who do you carry that torch for my young man?
Do you believe in anything?
Do you carry it around just to burn things to the ground?
What did you learn tonight?
Shouting so loud you barely see,
(feels like we could escape, I don't mind throwing away the filthy silver song.)
You're this broken thing,
You're a voice that never sings, that's what I say.
(if you try running the maze of your lies it's too hard to save,
If you've thrown out everyone.)
You were freezing over hell,
You were bringing on the end, you do so well
You can only blame yourself, that's what I say
Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84, edited by josefineumuser
Untitled Lyrics as written by Vincent Accardi
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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OK, Arter, I admit. It does sound like the forward version is the right one, but just by looking at the soundwaves and the direction in which they are meant to be played, you'd know it was recorded backwards. Secondly, I have tried turning off the right speaker, and it is not at all clear what he's saying. Lastly, I do at least agree with you in that it is Jesse's voice.