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
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Ditto.