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'll keep our eyes so close to the sun
That we cannot see all the damage we've done
To not just ourselves
There is no way we'll make it
I know we're going under as well
And we'll keep our ears so close to the beat
That we cannot hear you
And we won't move our feet
To the sound of it all going down in flames
Let's put this fire out
Let's put this fire out
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all
So let's keep the taste locked up in our teeth
We won't let it seep out
No, we won't let it leak
You can't let it show
So maybe you just play your role
In making sure that nobody knows
Well, I bet we get caught up in every way
She said, "I read it on your face all the same."
Let's get so fixed on our problems and stay
Let's put this fire out
Let's put it out
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all (x2)
Just say you need it just as badly as me
All we ever wanted was to be happy
And just say you need it
Just so we see we were wrong
So it seems that all the casual conversations
And all of the intimate situations
Were just figments of our imaginations
When, in all reality, all we were doing
Was just lying to pass the time
And dying to pass the hat from her hand to mine
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all (x2)
That we cannot see all the damage we've done
To not just ourselves
There is no way we'll make it
I know we're going under as well
And we'll keep our ears so close to the beat
That we cannot hear you
And we won't move our feet
To the sound of it all going down in flames
Let's put this fire out
Let's put this fire out
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all
So let's keep the taste locked up in our teeth
We won't let it seep out
No, we won't let it leak
You can't let it show
So maybe you just play your role
In making sure that nobody knows
Well, I bet we get caught up in every way
She said, "I read it on your face all the same."
Let's get so fixed on our problems and stay
Let's put this fire out
Let's put it out
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all (x2)
Just say you need it just as badly as me
All we ever wanted was to be happy
And just say you need it
Just so we see we were wrong
So it seems that all the casual conversations
And all of the intimate situations
Were just figments of our imaginations
When, in all reality, all we were doing
Was just lying to pass the time
And dying to pass the hat from her hand to mine
Well, well
We're a heartbeat away from hell
I know, and it's easy enough to tell
You know we are a heartbeat away
From having no heartbeat at all (x2)
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes
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