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 quit the carnival
It moved next door
I thought I'd had enough
But I want more
So now I'm sneaking out at night
I paint my face and shine my shoes
And go where I'm not supposed to
Cause I tamed a lion once
I stole his roar
I stripped his pride away
But he found more
So now he's back to take what's his
And shove my future in my face
And scare me back in my place
So soon, so soon
You've got it beat
'Til it eats you
I left my flaming sword
Beside your bed
I woke to find it pressed
Against my neck
You wept "Suggestion never works
So now I'm trying something else"
I shut my eyes, hold on, oh well
I felt a feather fall
A tree trunk split
Inside my lion laughed
Played violin
He said you should give up your voice
Before we both end up destroyed
I quit alright, he purred, "Good boy"
"Cause you'll believe anything"
And we went and copped
"And you'll fall for anyone"
And I said, "That's not exactly true"
Only you
I'll do what you do"
You wake in the hospital
In a thrift store suit
You hear your lover's voice
From the waiting room
You shut your eyes and pray for peace
Think, I'm not here, this isn't me
This isn't something I would do
I know the complicated truth
A make up mask, a lion's roar
A big top tent, a fire sword
But they're not real, they never were
And soon she won't be real either
This is the life you went and earned
Because you never fucking learn
And you could waste all of your years
Fixing the mess you're making here
So as her nervous breath draws close
Her dress heels click off their approach
You clutch your chest and whisper
"Oh no, what will I do?
What will I do?
My love, my love, oh, what will I do?" (Wake up)
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Oh, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
It moved next door
I thought I'd had enough
But I want more
So now I'm sneaking out at night
I paint my face and shine my shoes
And go where I'm not supposed to
Cause I tamed a lion once
I stole his roar
I stripped his pride away
But he found more
So now he's back to take what's his
And shove my future in my face
And scare me back in my place
So soon, so soon
You've got it beat
'Til it eats you
I left my flaming sword
Beside your bed
I woke to find it pressed
Against my neck
You wept "Suggestion never works
So now I'm trying something else"
I shut my eyes, hold on, oh well
I felt a feather fall
A tree trunk split
Inside my lion laughed
Played violin
He said you should give up your voice
Before we both end up destroyed
I quit alright, he purred, "Good boy"
"Cause you'll believe anything"
And we went and copped
"And you'll fall for anyone"
And I said, "That's not exactly true"
Only you
I'll do what you do"
You wake in the hospital
In a thrift store suit
You hear your lover's voice
From the waiting room
You shut your eyes and pray for peace
Think, I'm not here, this isn't me
This isn't something I would do
I know the complicated truth
A make up mask, a lion's roar
A big top tent, a fire sword
But they're not real, they never were
And soon she won't be real either
This is the life you went and earned
Because you never fucking learn
And you could waste all of your years
Fixing the mess you're making here
So as her nervous breath draws close
Her dress heels click off their approach
You clutch your chest and whisper
"Oh no, what will I do?
What will I do?
My love, my love, oh, what will I do?" (Wake up)
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh-mhh
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Uh-oh-oho, oho-ohoh-oho
Oh, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
Lyrics submitted by godphauther, edited by cybenddragon, krissy242
Carnival Lyrics as written by Kevin Devine
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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,
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.
has everyone else heard the latest version of this song?
BEST EVER.