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.
Couldn't buy a break, wasn't gonna try
Never went away and you never quite arrived
And I followed just to see you running
Things are going to call to you
Things of little consequence
That which once seemed small to you
Now is so immense
And I don't know how you could have seen it coming
Rolled up in a carpet bag, you should have looked like hell, dear
You know it always bothers me to see you doing so well
and to see you look so stunning
Came uptight and went home raving
Strung out with a morbid craving
hung up from the walls that are caving down
ain't nothing in here worth saving
Sell it all for a morbid craving
I just don't need the things you gave me now
The machinery and the tenements
careening through the elements
I can feel the fabric of your dress
I can see you leaning up against
The marble walls and the half-lit hall with someone
Did you draw a debtor's pension
An impression in the paint
I don't recall the things you mentioned
They all seem very faint
The all seem so difficult so difficult to summon
You would have thought you was the first girl
ever learned a song by heart
but baby if you won't rehearse it
someone will have to do your part
and i can already see her coming
slept all day spent all night praying
just to fill a morbid craving
rolled him up a hill and then straight down
ain't nothing in here worth saving
burn it all for a morbid craving
i just don't need the things you gave me now
Collecting common knowledge
Like the dirt beneath my fingers
Though I did not go to college
There is one lesson that lingers
How a boy betrayed your confidence
In the theatres and the monuments
And I can hardly blame him, dear
The way you talk such nonsense
You wanna play the lost apostle
In a hotel room in Knoxville
But you don't know what you're doing
So you don't hold me responsible
You would have thought you was the first girl
Ever loved a married man, oh dear
I don't know how much he hurt you
But I will hurt you more than him
If that's why you keep coming
Came all night and went home raving
Burnt out on a morbid craving
Hung up while the walls are caving down
Ain't nothing in here worth saving
Fick it all for a morbid craving
I can't give back the things you gave me now
Never went away and you never quite arrived
And I followed just to see you running
Things are going to call to you
Things of little consequence
That which once seemed small to you
Now is so immense
And I don't know how you could have seen it coming
Rolled up in a carpet bag, you should have looked like hell, dear
You know it always bothers me to see you doing so well
and to see you look so stunning
Came uptight and went home raving
Strung out with a morbid craving
hung up from the walls that are caving down
ain't nothing in here worth saving
Sell it all for a morbid craving
I just don't need the things you gave me now
The machinery and the tenements
careening through the elements
I can feel the fabric of your dress
I can see you leaning up against
The marble walls and the half-lit hall with someone
Did you draw a debtor's pension
An impression in the paint
I don't recall the things you mentioned
They all seem very faint
The all seem so difficult so difficult to summon
You would have thought you was the first girl
ever learned a song by heart
but baby if you won't rehearse it
someone will have to do your part
and i can already see her coming
slept all day spent all night praying
just to fill a morbid craving
rolled him up a hill and then straight down
ain't nothing in here worth saving
burn it all for a morbid craving
i just don't need the things you gave me now
Collecting common knowledge
Like the dirt beneath my fingers
Though I did not go to college
There is one lesson that lingers
How a boy betrayed your confidence
In the theatres and the monuments
And I can hardly blame him, dear
The way you talk such nonsense
You wanna play the lost apostle
In a hotel room in Knoxville
But you don't know what you're doing
So you don't hold me responsible
You would have thought you was the first girl
Ever loved a married man, oh dear
I don't know how much he hurt you
But I will hurt you more than him
If that's why you keep coming
Came all night and went home raving
Burnt out on a morbid craving
Hung up while the walls are caving down
Ain't nothing in here worth saving
Fick it all for a morbid craving
I can't give back the things you gave me now
Lyrics submitted by brilliFAN
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.
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
I couldn't find any lyrics for this online, so I tried to to transcribe it myself- it was surprisingly difficult. I'm fairly sure the first line of the 4th verse nor the part of the song which goes "the way he talks his (?)" are incorrect. Still, amazing song and catchy as hell.
I'm thinking it's probably a standard, bitter love song about a girl who's left the guy in question? I can't say I really know.