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.
We were together since we were five
She was so pretty
Emma was a star in everyone's eyes
And when she said she'd be a movie queen
Nobody laughed
A face like an angel
She could be anything
Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen
Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen
At seventeen we were wed
I'd work day and night
To earn our daily bread
And every day Emma would go out
Searching for that play
That never, ever came her way
You know sometimes she'd come home
So depressed
I'd hear her crying in the back room
Feel so distressed
And I'd remember back when she was five
To the words that used to make
Emmaline come alive
It was :
"Emmaline,
Emma, Emmaline,
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen.
Emmaline,
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen."
It was a cold and dark December night
When I opened up the bedroom door
To find her lying still and cold
Upon the bed
A love letter lying on the bedroom floor
It read :
"Darling I love you,
But I just can't keep on living on dreams no more.
I tried so very hard not to leave you alone.
I just can't keep on trying no more."
Emmaline ...
Aaargh, Emmaline ...
Aaargh ...
Emma, Emmaline ...
Aaargh ...
Emma, Emmaline ...
She was so pretty
Emma was a star in everyone's eyes
And when she said she'd be a movie queen
Nobody laughed
A face like an angel
She could be anything
Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen
Emmaline
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen
At seventeen we were wed
I'd work day and night
To earn our daily bread
And every day Emma would go out
Searching for that play
That never, ever came her way
You know sometimes she'd come home
So depressed
I'd hear her crying in the back room
Feel so distressed
And I'd remember back when she was five
To the words that used to make
Emmaline come alive
It was :
"Emmaline,
Emma, Emmaline,
I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen.
Emmaline,
Emma, Emmaline
I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen."
It was a cold and dark December night
When I opened up the bedroom door
To find her lying still and cold
Upon the bed
A love letter lying on the bedroom floor
It read :
"Darling I love you,
But I just can't keep on living on dreams no more.
I tried so very hard not to leave you alone.
I just can't keep on trying no more."
Emmaline ...
Aaargh, Emmaline ...
Aaargh ...
Emma, Emmaline ...
Aaargh ...
Emma, Emmaline ...
Lyrics submitted by Emz_Blonde
Emma Lyrics as written by Errol Ainsworth Glenstor Brown Anthony (gb 1) Wilson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Exploration Group LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i heard it was something about his dead mother or something?
I'm not sure if there is a story behind the song. The prevailing interpretation, and mine, however is that the song is about two lovers who have been together since they were children. Emmaline wanted to be an actress, but couldn't get her big break and ends up committing suicide and leaving a deeply emotional love letter for the [singer]. Personally I think this is the saddest song ever written... yet I can't help but listen to it.
These lyrics say it all : "Emma, Emmaline, I'm gonna write your name high on that silver screen. Emmaline, Emma, Emmaline I'm gonna make you the biggest star this world has ever seen."
He promised her everything and delivered nothing. Then he wondered why she couldn't cope!
False hope an empty promises can b lethal..