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 can give up if you like your heads
Lying down at your feet
You can call on the phone
Anytime you want to talk to me
If you know who you are
You can always go round and see
If you don't and you're scared
Concentrate and grit your teeth
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Feathers will fly if you shoot
A bullet full of bubble gum
At my throat or my heart
I'm protected by a humming bird
Receive only luck if you can
It wouldn't be a constant mistake
Over flown but under worn
So please come follow me
I'm watching the radio
Cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
I'm watching the radio
Cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking,
The television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
(I will claw at your own feet)
Whoa
(Just because it tastes so sweet)
Whoa
(Take it out quiet star)
Whoa
(It's not like your in need)
Whoa
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
(I will claw at your own feet)
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
(Take it out quiet star)
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking,
The television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Lying down at your feet
You can call on the phone
Anytime you want to talk to me
If you know who you are
You can always go round and see
If you don't and you're scared
Concentrate and grit your teeth
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Feathers will fly if you shoot
A bullet full of bubble gum
At my throat or my heart
I'm protected by a humming bird
Receive only luck if you can
It wouldn't be a constant mistake
Over flown but under worn
So please come follow me
I'm watching the radio
Cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
I'm watching the radio
Cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking,
The television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
(I will claw at your own feet)
Whoa
(Just because it tastes so sweet)
Whoa
(Take it out quiet star)
Whoa
(It's not like your in need)
Whoa
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking at me
(I will claw at your own feet)
I'm watching the radio
'cause I don't compare
(Take it out quiet star)
I'm watching the radio
But it's the television looking,
The television looking at me
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Whoa
Whoa
(Television looking at me)
Lyrics submitted by underpaid_vampire, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Love Has a Diameter Lyrics as written by Simon Alexander Neil
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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What I'm getting from this is that he's got his on this girl that is to good for him. He's comparing all of these things and they are all significantly than each other. But all of these differences even more, lead me to believe that the song is about two people that are so different from each other and its not worth it any more. This also would explain the title "Love Has A Diameter" meaning love only goes so far.
cant believe theres no comments! brilliant song.
My interpretation is, she's better than him (or so he thinks), so she's watching the TV, but he thinks he's inferior so hes watching the radio, which he believes is inferior to the TV.
maybe :)
i really like/totally agree w/ sumguyudntno's interpretation of the song title...
"This also would explain the title "Love Has A Diameter" meaning love only goes so far."
but i can see the song being a metaphor for the music industry rather than an actual relationship. maybe he's even giving advice to some other up and coming artist. like this:
it's a difficult industry, but don't quit. if you need advice, give me a call. don't forget who you are or what your inspirations are; but, if you do, revisit that because it's what sets you apart from others. i used to watch the radio wondering if i was actually talented enough to compete w/ the successful artists already out there. the TV was watching me, though i doesn't really notice, on my rise to fame. other people made a huge deal ("flying feathers") out of attacks against my talent ("throat") or the topics my art addressed/my motivations ("heart") but those aren't any more serious than bubblegum if you choose to ignore them. "receive only luck, if you can" because it's so easy to take the insults from critics rather than the friends/fans wishing you 'good luck in your endeavors.' it's not a mistake to take the encouragement to heart while ignoring the people who point out your failures. (and maybe this last part is a bit of a stretch, but... i'd like to think that the last tag is about the consequences of doing what you love.) the music industry is a hard life. the machine can make you feel ridiculous/make your art ridiculous, it can steal the meaning from your art, and it can beat you up... your love for your work/the music can only take you so far. beyond that you need someone to be there for you who knew you before fame/fortune. the new found fan support is good. you should appreciate it and not let it go to your head ("take it on, the quiet storm"), but it'll never be like the one person who knows you before, who knows you when you're a nobody. that person is opinion that really matters. like you and me.
This song is about a love triangle. He's into a girl (and insecure about himself with this) but there's another girl interested in him, which he's oblivious to.