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.
Don t need a crystal ball to show me where I m going,
Cause I m making it right, making it right, right this time.
Ever since you left me all I want is you,
But I m making it fine, making it fine, draw the line.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
1'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
Seems without me you re just searching you keep hoping.
You are standing in line, standing in line, burning time.
Never believed that Id be back on the streets,
So I'll follow the dream, follow the dream, yeah tonight.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
I'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
Don t need a crystal ball to show me where I'm going,
Cause I'm making it right, making it right, right this time.
With or without you, I've got to live this dream,
Cause its once in a life, once in a life, my lifetime.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
I'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
Cause I m making it right, making it right, right this time.
Ever since you left me all I want is you,
But I m making it fine, making it fine, draw the line.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
1'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
Seems without me you re just searching you keep hoping.
You are standing in line, standing in line, burning time.
Never believed that Id be back on the streets,
So I'll follow the dream, follow the dream, yeah tonight.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
I'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
Don t need a crystal ball to show me where I'm going,
Cause I'm making it right, making it right, right this time.
With or without you, I've got to live this dream,
Cause its once in a life, once in a life, my lifetime.
I was born with a six string in my hand,
I'll follow the dream to the end.
And I'll go it alone.
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Great song. I wish it were more desperate and less anthem, because I have been struggling with these same emotions. It's very disheartening to wake up and find before you a set of the hardest things you'll ever do, and told that each will be harder than the next, your only chance to survive is through. No one can help you. In fact, it is for others' cruel amusement that you play this game of fate. They each sit smugly from their vantage gleefully cheering, as long as it's not them who must fight.
This is the music I listen to when I'm hating the world (all the time).