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.
Well here I am again just laying here
Reliving the autumn night that was destined,
Truly destined to be us
A million things are going through my mind
If I take a chance, I promise I will never ever fall behind
I gotta get out of here (I've truly done my time)
I gotta get out of here
Cause this could be my night
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
The last time to get what you deserve
Pick yourself up
There's hope for today
You have your friends
It'll be okay to take the chance and do it for yourself
Okay to take the chance and live with what was dealt
I gotta get out of here
I gotta get out of here
RIGHT NOW!
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
Show 'em what you got
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
I gotta get out of here
Reliving the autumn night that was destined,
Truly destined to be us
A million things are going through my mind
If I take a chance, I promise I will never ever fall behind
I gotta get out of here (I've truly done my time)
I gotta get out of here
Cause this could be my night
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
The last time to get what you deserve
Pick yourself up
There's hope for today
You have your friends
It'll be okay to take the chance and do it for yourself
Okay to take the chance and live with what was dealt
I gotta get out of here
I gotta get out of here
RIGHT NOW!
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
Show 'em what you got
So take a chance in San Diego
Cause this could be the last time
To do it big and live the California dream
This could be the last time
I gotta get out of here
Lyrics submitted by Matterman
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
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This song makes me happy to live in san diego