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.
It only takes a glance
But if I catch it then it'll surely be by chance
It takes one to know one
But one is hard to find
When laws of attraction ignore the distant eye
With life on the island the mind waits restlessly
As oceans of endless waves
Guide with certainty
Where fear is imagined
And risk is trapped in stone
And love resides beyond the tide
And color fails to glow
But it only takes a glance
And even the skeptics
Could not pass up the chance
Like Icarus in the morning sun
They'll take his lead and fly
Obsessed with all the splendor
Of the newly colored sky
With thoughts bent on freedom
The heart beats wildly
As strong winds of rapid change guide erratically
Where fear is forgotten and risk is all we know
We trust the wings
In hopes they'll bring us far beyond the sea below
So it's not just about me anymore
Things are looking bright like they never did before
But I'm not really sure how to take this flight
When my eyes just aren't trained
To see your golden light
But if I turn away it'd be so commonplace
Avoid the raging waters far beneath your face
But I'm not really sure how to take this flight
When my eyes just aren't trained
To see your golden light
So give me time
All the time you can give until I find
The light that shines on me
Beam on me 'till I believe
That lifting off wont have to mean
A plunge into the sea
The wax and wings must hold
The wax and wings will hold
But if I catch it then it'll surely be by chance
It takes one to know one
But one is hard to find
When laws of attraction ignore the distant eye
With life on the island the mind waits restlessly
As oceans of endless waves
Guide with certainty
Where fear is imagined
And risk is trapped in stone
And love resides beyond the tide
And color fails to glow
But it only takes a glance
And even the skeptics
Could not pass up the chance
Like Icarus in the morning sun
They'll take his lead and fly
Obsessed with all the splendor
Of the newly colored sky
With thoughts bent on freedom
The heart beats wildly
As strong winds of rapid change guide erratically
Where fear is forgotten and risk is all we know
We trust the wings
In hopes they'll bring us far beyond the sea below
So it's not just about me anymore
Things are looking bright like they never did before
But I'm not really sure how to take this flight
When my eyes just aren't trained
To see your golden light
But if I turn away it'd be so commonplace
Avoid the raging waters far beneath your face
But I'm not really sure how to take this flight
When my eyes just aren't trained
To see your golden light
So give me time
All the time you can give until I find
The light that shines on me
Beam on me 'till I believe
That lifting off wont have to mean
A plunge into the sea
The wax and wings must hold
The wax and wings will hold
Lyrics submitted by Kipa
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