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.
i always put you on a pedestal
i wanna see you all the time
dead lights surround your little innocence
with boxes never fall behind
you wanna teach me your philosophy
but life is always on your mind
you cant wake up from last nights decadence
but you always had a good time
you wanna talk about our government
but i dont think i have the time
you did you your part on the environment
but it was only in sand that i saw you draw the line
you always like to live extravagant
you always like to wine and dine
so you now come out of your leather back
you poke your head out for a while
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
you cant believe you have to pay your rent
why dont you find somewhere to buy
i cant believe i take my vitamins
but i dont wanna see your cry
you say you wanna be an actress
why dont i ever see you try
so now you think youve found the evidence
so tell me whats your bottom line
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
i wanna see you all the time
dead lights surround your little innocence
with boxes never fall behind
you wanna teach me your philosophy
but life is always on your mind
you cant wake up from last nights decadence
but you always had a good time
you wanna talk about our government
but i dont think i have the time
you did you your part on the environment
but it was only in sand that i saw you draw the line
you always like to live extravagant
you always like to wine and dine
so you now come out of your leather back
you poke your head out for a while
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
you cant believe you have to pay your rent
why dont you find somewhere to buy
i cant believe i take my vitamins
but i dont wanna see your cry
you say you wanna be an actress
why dont i ever see you try
so now you think youve found the evidence
so tell me whats your bottom line
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
caterpillar sleep in the bathtub
fairy always wade in the sink
butterfly arrive in the bedroom
beauty fly away on a wing
Lyrics submitted by viciousdelicious
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.