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.
Silly me, look what I did again.
I found what I want is what I cannot have
I didn't mean to be so predictable,
But I blame it all on who made you irresistible
And it isn't something I need 'til you tell me I can't
Why wear my heart on my sleeve when it looks so good in your hand.
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
Little girl, I don't know why you stay.
If I had a feather for every time daddy said that I could fly away.
Old habits are so hard to break
It'd be a shame to stop now that I've started to make really good mistakes.
And I don't know why I must ask for the forbidden fruit.
I saw the snake in the grass, but I had bitten too soon.
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
I should have seen you coming in
Should recognize the signs a wave's gonna break
Now, I've given in, why fight it when
I'm resigned to simply live in your wake.
Your wake
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
I found what I want is what I cannot have
I didn't mean to be so predictable,
But I blame it all on who made you irresistible
And it isn't something I need 'til you tell me I can't
Why wear my heart on my sleeve when it looks so good in your hand.
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
Little girl, I don't know why you stay.
If I had a feather for every time daddy said that I could fly away.
Old habits are so hard to break
It'd be a shame to stop now that I've started to make really good mistakes.
And I don't know why I must ask for the forbidden fruit.
I saw the snake in the grass, but I had bitten too soon.
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
I should have seen you coming in
Should recognize the signs a wave's gonna break
Now, I've given in, why fight it when
I'm resigned to simply live in your wake.
Your wake
My heart breaks in a heart beat
And you storm me when you come and go
The taste of something so sweet should have
Warned me 'bout the undertow.
Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go.
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I seriously cannot believe that no one has commented on this! Well I think that Sara's voice is amazing in this, it's irresistible. This song is great. I'm not sure if I'm 100% correct but to me, it seems like she has a habit of getting back together with the same guy, even though she knows what she's getting herself into. It hurts her everytime he leaves but she can't help but love him.
"Oh, I couldn't find a better man to let me go." Even after he leaves her, she still thinks he's the most amazing man she's been with.
"Now, I’ve given in, why fight it when I’m resigned to simply live in your wake." She knows that she'll take him back no matter what and there's nothing she can or wants to do about it.
LOVE IT! and again, if im wrong, don't kill me :)
One of my favorites by Ms. Bareilles. I agree with silverbullet - her voice is irresistable and I simply love the bluesy feel to this song.
"why wear my heart on my sleeve when it looks so good in your hand?" amazing.
SUCH a good song for someone who finds themself in this situation. How is it that someone can have you so wrapped around his finger that even though you've been hurt time after time you'll always take him back instantaneously? But somehow she describes it perfectly so it makes sense. Even though it doesn't. UGH.
Love this song.... it's about heartbreak but not really... the song is just to upbeat for that. The situation in this song is like that of a dieter who keeps on ending up eating the things she's not supposed to because it just feels too good to give up...
The lyrics of this song are ridiculously beautiful.
hi guys. in all honesty i think this song is about a girl who keeps attracting the same type of men over and over(unavailable men) and she gives up on trying to change that because it feels good, even though she knows it is harmful. when she says "now that i started to make really good mistakes", means to me that she is so addicted to her pattern of attraction, she sees all the wrong but it feels right, just like an addict. i have personally experienced this so this song is almost my soul on paper. just thought i'd give some more insight. thanks