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.
The past is going through my mind.
It hurts, yes it hurts because a face never leaves and hearts never die.
I was just a broken promise, said that I would be a part of your friendship.
And I just walked my way.
Was too weak to stand up for myself, too weak to help,
so scared to be a part of your crime, and too weak to say no.
You’re still so near my heart even if it was ten years since I met you.
I remember that your eyes were screaming for help.
I’m so sorry, so sorry, but I was too weak.
But I know that angels watch your steps.
And I know that they hear my cry.
Sometimes I just want to go back in time and change the wrong things that happened.
But now I face the truth.
Was too weak to stand up for myself, too weak to help.
So scared to be a part of your crime.
It hurts, yes it hurts because a face never leaves and hearts never die.
I was just a broken promise, said that I would be a part of your friendship.
And I just walked my way.
Was too weak to stand up for myself, too weak to help,
so scared to be a part of your crime, and too weak to say no.
You’re still so near my heart even if it was ten years since I met you.
I remember that your eyes were screaming for help.
I’m so sorry, so sorry, but I was too weak.
But I know that angels watch your steps.
And I know that they hear my cry.
Sometimes I just want to go back in time and change the wrong things that happened.
But now I face the truth.
Was too weak to stand up for myself, too weak to help.
So scared to be a part of your crime.
Lyrics submitted by cT-
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
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