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 drove through misty canyons
Our destination seemed resolved
But through high beams, tragedy called
It seemed a normal evening
We rode in silent walls between
Our wills like guillotines
I sped on mountain roads as
Your words came piercing through my chest
I'm your usual suspect
I turned my head in defense
That's when I heard you crash
And siren screams like rival factions
Two stories are told
We never knew at any moment
We just might implode
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
We were magnetic fields
When we came together long ago
You glowed like burning halos
We spent a lifetime on the
Beaches of Normandy in vain
What for I can't explain
I looked to you from the darkened highway
Facing you in tears
And in that moment, metal twisted
And you disappeared
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we feel
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
A fatal evening's drive is what
They always will assume
But I know better as I collide
Face first with you
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we feel
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
Our destination seemed resolved
But through high beams, tragedy called
It seemed a normal evening
We rode in silent walls between
Our wills like guillotines
I sped on mountain roads as
Your words came piercing through my chest
I'm your usual suspect
I turned my head in defense
That's when I heard you crash
And siren screams like rival factions
Two stories are told
We never knew at any moment
We just might implode
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
We were magnetic fields
When we came together long ago
You glowed like burning halos
We spent a lifetime on the
Beaches of Normandy in vain
What for I can't explain
I looked to you from the darkened highway
Facing you in tears
And in that moment, metal twisted
And you disappeared
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we feel
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
A fatal evening's drive is what
They always will assume
But I know better as I collide
Face first with you
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we feel
They're watching you crashing into
Crashing into me
And wishing they had what we see
Had what we see, had what we believe
Lyrics submitted by Soupiertiger
Normandy Lyrics as written by Randy Michael Torres Andrew Albert Schwab
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
that sounds right, even though he mentions the beaches of Normandy. it almost sounds like he was looking for someone to crash into or like he planned it. "A fatal evening's drive is what they will always assume; But I know better as I collide face first with you"