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.
Watch this coward dance
I keep my feet so close to the ground
With every step, without a sound
Mother, look away
I don't know who I've become
Since that November day
When I said I wouldn't change
Maybe I can't be surprised…
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
Slow steps…
Don't forget to think of posture
Now deep breaths, with deeper words
Listen, listen now…
This is where it matters most
Every phrase will count
Just make sure you can run away; just in case…
(Day after day you'll get used to
The guilt from the necks you bite into)
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
This town was built to remind me of all my mistakes
But I have plans to burn every building
So no one will be here to hold my hands, hold my hands
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
Calculate my losses in the end
I keep my feet so close to the ground
With every step, without a sound
Mother, look away
I don't know who I've become
Since that November day
When I said I wouldn't change
Maybe I can't be surprised…
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
Slow steps…
Don't forget to think of posture
Now deep breaths, with deeper words
Listen, listen now…
This is where it matters most
Every phrase will count
Just make sure you can run away; just in case…
(Day after day you'll get used to
The guilt from the necks you bite into)
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
This town was built to remind me of all my mistakes
But I have plans to burn every building
So no one will be here to hold my hands, hold my hands
Take my hands
I can twist out lines for every situation (situation)
All I have
Is a heart that's trained to calculate my losses in the end
Calculate my losses in the end
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I'm not really sure what the song means.
I love the line "Slow steps...don't forget to think of posture, now deep breaths, with deeper words."
For some reason the line "All I have, is a heart that’s trained to calculate my losses in the end" reminds me of a robot, haha. But I think he might be talking about the feeling of being numb, always expecting the worst, and not really giving much thought, because in the end, there's always loss.
I have no clue :T