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.
Give me the antidote for all the pain in our lives,
Give me the patience to see through to better nights.
You have to feel good about yourself to love someone else, Now that there's time to rebuild, the separation is hell
When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars.
One of them is mine.
Don't take too long to decide, this time
You are the antidote, you are the cure in my life,
You are the strength to believe the path i've taken is right.
When you can't sleep at night and it's driving you mad,
Please hang on to the light, it'll bring you back
When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars
One of them is mine
Don't take too long to decide, this time
Give me the antidote, cure in my life
I hope you see this is real!
I promise never to change!
I've got my hand on your heart
And it's keeping me safe.
oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh
Don't take too long (oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Don't take too long to decide, this time
(oh oh oh oh oh oh) Don't take too long
I hope you see this is real! (give me the antidote)
I promise never to change! (cure in my life)
I've got my hand on your heart, (give me the antidote)
And it's keeping me safe. (cure in my life)
Give me the patience to see through to better nights.
You have to feel good about yourself to love someone else, Now that there's time to rebuild, the separation is hell
When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars.
One of them is mine.
Don't take too long to decide, this time
You are the antidote, you are the cure in my life,
You are the strength to believe the path i've taken is right.
When you can't sleep at night and it's driving you mad,
Please hang on to the light, it'll bring you back
When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars
One of them is mine
Don't take too long to decide, this time
Give me the antidote, cure in my life
I hope you see this is real!
I promise never to change!
I've got my hand on your heart
And it's keeping me safe.
oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh
Don't take too long (oh oh oh oh oh oh)
Don't take too long to decide, this time
(oh oh oh oh oh oh) Don't take too long
I hope you see this is real! (give me the antidote)
I promise never to change! (cure in my life)
I've got my hand on your heart, (give me the antidote)
And it's keeping me safe. (cure in my life)
Lyrics submitted by heyjuderefrain
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the hint are fantastic, i've loved them from two lines into this song.
its clearly being in love, quite deeply; 'i've got my hand on your heart' and wanting that moment to stay.
"i've got my hand on your heart, and it's keeping me safe" that makes me melt everytime. without fail.
this sounds like it could have been made back in the 80's.
that's what i love about joe's voice. & i love tim, geoff, and jeff, too. :)
I think for half the song, he's talking to God. "Give me the antidote for all the pain in our lives, Give me the patience to see through to better nights... You are the antidote, you are the cure in my life, You are the strength to believe the path i've taken is right.:
For the rest, he's telling his friend about his 'antidote.' "You have to feel good about yourself to love someone else, Now that there's time to rebuild, the separation is hell... When you can't sleep at night and it's driving you mad, Please hang on to the light, it'll bring you back... Don't take too long to decide."
For the last part, the friend is talking to God. "I hope you see this is real! I promise never to change. I've got my hand on your heart and it's keeping me safe."
If this is the case, it's a very intricate song with a deep, heartfelt meaning. Regardless of whether or not this is what the artist intended, it means a lot to me. We let Christ shine to our brothers and sisters to help them through their lives.