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.
Say whatever you have to say, I'll stand by you.
Do whatever you have to do, to get it out and not become a reactionary
To hurt the ones you love you know you never meant to but you do
Oh yeah you do
Be whoever you have to be, I won't judge you
Sing whatever you have to sing to get it out and not become a recluse
about your house, come out
I know you never meant to but you do
Oh but you do
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
And take whatever you have to take, you know I love ya
Come however you have to come, and get it out and get it out
Take it out on me, take it out on me
I'll give it you all, I give it you all,I give it
I give you all I give it you all, yes I will give it you all
'Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
Oh yes I will, I will give it you all
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need that heart, because you're always in the right places.
Do whatever you have to do, to get it out and not become a reactionary
To hurt the ones you love you know you never meant to but you do
Oh yeah you do
Be whoever you have to be, I won't judge you
Sing whatever you have to sing to get it out and not become a recluse
about your house, come out
I know you never meant to but you do
Oh but you do
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
And take whatever you have to take, you know I love ya
Come however you have to come, and get it out and get it out
Take it out on me, take it out on me
I'll give it you all, I give it you all,I give it
I give you all I give it you all, yes I will give it you all
'Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
Oh yes I will, I will give it you all
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need that heart, because you're always in the right places.
Lyrics submitted by FarrarLikesMusic
Sway Lyrics as written by Luke Pritchard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is my favorite song, it means so much to me. I think anyone who has known someone close to them to be involved in something like drugs can relate to this song. It speaks to me and reminds me of my mom and our relationship. The beginning is saying that you can be yourself and I'll love you no matter what. You got mixed up with the wrong stuff and you changed and your actions hurt me even though you didn't realize it. The chorus is saying I need you, I need your old self back because that's who you really are, not who you've become. My favorite part and the one that gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes is this:
"And take whatever you have to take, you know i love ya come however you have to come, and get it out and get it out
Tttttake it out on me, take it out on me i'll give it you all, i give it you all, i give it, i give you all, i give it you all, yes i will give it you all"
Just those few lines say so much to me. It makes me think of right before the person, for me it was my mom, goes and checks into rehab. They want their last hit, their last high, before having to give it all up. So it's kind of saying go ahead, I love you and I won't think less of you for getting this one last thing out of your system before giving it up completely. Then as it gets to "take it out on me" it makes me think of the first few stages of withdrawal when the person gets angry and upset. They hate you for making them quit their habits but you know it had to be done so you just let them take out their frustrations on you, blame you for the pain they're going through. Then it says how you give everything you have to that person, you put all of yourself into their recovery to help them get better and get through their addiction.
But, yeah, that's what this song means to me and how I view the lyrics and the meaning behind them. Maybe you got something out of that. =]
I'm all misty eyed after reading your post. I can relate. I can tell you are an amazing person. I wish someone would have felt this way toward me when I came out of addiction. This song expresses PURE LOVE and I am glad you have that with your mom. ;)<br />