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.
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Sly fox, you really tricked me
Now you've got me on a leash
Throw me a bone, just drive me home
Or give me something good to read
I am a nail stuck in a wall without a string
Around my neck tied to a frame
Vacant with no war to wage
Can't teach a boy what he don't wanna learn
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
If it was up to me
As empty as this summer town street in January
Without a shoe pressing the pavement
Walking by me patiently
And there's a song charming my ears infinitely
Motherly it gently sings
In my headphones whispering
Making sure that I am not alone
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Sly fox, you really tricked me
Now you've got me on a leash
Throw me a bone, just drive me home
Or give me something good to read
I am a nail stuck in a wall without a string
Around my neck tied to a frame
Vacant with no war to wage
Can't teach a boy what he don't wanna learn
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
If it was up to me
As empty as this summer town street in January
Without a shoe pressing the pavement
Walking by me patiently
And there's a song charming my ears infinitely
Motherly it gently sings
In my headphones whispering
Making sure that I am not alone
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Fill me, I'm drying out and thin
Save me, I know you'd kill it
Whoa oh, whoa oh
I'd be sleeping now if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
Whoa oh, whoa oh
Wouldn't hear a sound if it was up to me
Lyrics submitted by heartattack
If It Was Up to Me Lyrics as written by Daniel Harris Diliberto Daniel Diliberto
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Great version of a great song,
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this song ROCKS!!!!!! Though hes sings about going to sleep, i think that this song isnt about going to sleep as much as it is about going through some form of strife, i have no idea what it is. I think that what hes really saying about sleeping is that he could be feeling a need for peace, possibly just enough to 'be sleeping now if it was up to me'. Any other thoughts?