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.
You're repeating me lines
That you think I want to hear
But I don't want to hear anymore
As if sorry is any consolation
For what it's worth, you're stringing me alone
Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
You keep giving me signs
That you think I want to see
But you're nothing like you've seen
Hide behind your half smile
But the truth is so undeniable
Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable
Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
That you think I want to hear
But I don't want to hear anymore
As if sorry is any consolation
For what it's worth, you're stringing me alone
Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
You keep giving me signs
That you think I want to see
But you're nothing like you've seen
Hide behind your half smile
But the truth is so undeniable
Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable
Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene
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
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”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Crap, sorry about the stringing/stranding thing. I forgot to edit that when I got the album.
And you're welcome.
I really wish trusted users could edit songs. It would make the place run just a bit smoother.