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.
Breathe in
Kindle the fire. a new plague
Now living so deep inside
This pharaoh'’s found in the mirrors on our walls
War. the addicts scream war
Yet fault is solely self-imposed
Truth or denial hold the options in our hearts
And we choose truth
Combating poisons
While the sun still shines upon our lives
Breakdown, decide
Just what would it take
To be on the other side?
It's within our hearts
Within our mindsets
Within earshot and eyeshot today
Within our skin, within our framework
Tomorrow'’s there but it might be too late
It's within our hearts
Within our mindsets today
Exhale. release the sickness,
Spitting blood into the eyes of virtue
Blinding, choking the ones who want no more
The goal is modest
The consequences more or less honest
When life or death are the only roads ahead
And we choose life
Combating poisons
While the sun still shines upon our lives
Breakdown, decide
Give me a vision
Of what’s on the other side
The past, the past'’s a minefield
Filled with regret
Quietly we tiptoe watching where
Just where we tread
And nevermind addictive states
Nevermind old trends
Tough to fight, wrong or right
Decisions made are ours tonight
Staring through the window
The sunlight reflects eyes
Of thousands here before me
In different forms of life
Just one time for the pleasure
Now can we stop the pain
When centuries of common knowledge
Are hard to rearrange
Breakdown, decide
Kindle the fire. a new plague
Now living so deep inside
This pharaoh'’s found in the mirrors on our walls
War. the addicts scream war
Yet fault is solely self-imposed
Truth or denial hold the options in our hearts
And we choose truth
Combating poisons
While the sun still shines upon our lives
Breakdown, decide
Just what would it take
To be on the other side?
It's within our hearts
Within our mindsets
Within earshot and eyeshot today
Within our skin, within our framework
Tomorrow'’s there but it might be too late
It's within our hearts
Within our mindsets today
Exhale. release the sickness,
Spitting blood into the eyes of virtue
Blinding, choking the ones who want no more
The goal is modest
The consequences more or less honest
When life or death are the only roads ahead
And we choose life
Combating poisons
While the sun still shines upon our lives
Breakdown, decide
Give me a vision
Of what’s on the other side
The past, the past'’s a minefield
Filled with regret
Quietly we tiptoe watching where
Just where we tread
And nevermind addictive states
Nevermind old trends
Tough to fight, wrong or right
Decisions made are ours tonight
Staring through the window
The sunlight reflects eyes
Of thousands here before me
In different forms of life
Just one time for the pleasure
Now can we stop the pain
When centuries of common knowledge
Are hard to rearrange
Breakdown, decide
Lyrics submitted by punkpirate
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