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.
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Have you forgotten him
Far from the land
Where the sun is born
down in the wood "Caladon"
Do you know the place
where the light is never seen
and all the hopes are turned
by the final cry
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Whispering tunes in the wind
all hopes are gone with the night
when the old man will never come back
remember his words and his songs
And we see the raven's flying in the distance
but no wizard's singing his song
Somebodies out in the night
I fly in time
The last candle will burn
there's hope for everyone
when the last candle burns high
oh it's time for life
The elves and gnomes have to hide
when the moon is showing it's face
and raging orcs will set their traps
and the forest will burn
they hate green trees
and love the dark
they don't understand
that they're caught and left alone
they feel the magic in the wind
they're just fear the old man's song
(solo: Kai)
Ref.: Somebodies...
Corrupted old gnom
betrayer of all
you know so much about all
what is your price?
GNOM:
"Too much, too much
you cannot pay with your silver and your gold
there's just a little chance to save the wizard's life
there's just a little chance for all you fools
now pay"
(lead: André)
And so I walk across the land
and hope to hear the wizard's song
Ref.: Somebodies... (2x)
Outro: Somebodies out there
I feel there's somebody
Somebodies out there
I feel there's somebody
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Guardian, Guardian, Guardian of the Blind
Have you forgotten him
Far from the land
Where the sun is born
down in the wood "Caladon"
Do you know the place
where the light is never seen
and all the hopes are turned
by the final cry
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Turned to Stone
Whispering tunes in the wind
all hopes are gone with the night
when the old man will never come back
remember his words and his songs
And we see the raven's flying in the distance
but no wizard's singing his song
Somebodies out in the night
I fly in time
The last candle will burn
there's hope for everyone
when the last candle burns high
oh it's time for life
The elves and gnomes have to hide
when the moon is showing it's face
and raging orcs will set their traps
and the forest will burn
they hate green trees
and love the dark
they don't understand
that they're caught and left alone
they feel the magic in the wind
they're just fear the old man's song
(solo: Kai)
Ref.: Somebodies...
Corrupted old gnom
betrayer of all
you know so much about all
what is your price?
GNOM:
"Too much, too much
you cannot pay with your silver and your gold
there's just a little chance to save the wizard's life
there's just a little chance for all you fools
now pay"
(lead: André)
And so I walk across the land
and hope to hear the wizard's song
Ref.: Somebodies... (2x)
Outro: Somebodies out there
I feel there's somebody
Somebodies out there
I feel there's somebody
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
I assume because of the elves, gnomes, orcs, and wizards that it is a story from tolkien, but i would love if someone would post what they think