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 painted your room at midnight
So I'd know yesterday was over
I put all your books on the top shelf
Even the one with the four leaf clover
Man I'm getting older
I took all your pictures off the wall
And I wrapped them in a newspaper blanket
I haven't slept in what seems like a century
And now I can barely breathe
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Your words still serenade me
And your lullaby's, they won't let me sleep
And I've never heard such a haunting melody
Oh it's killing me
You know I can barely breathe
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Just a little too late
So I'd know yesterday was over
I put all your books on the top shelf
Even the one with the four leaf clover
Man I'm getting older
I took all your pictures off the wall
And I wrapped them in a newspaper blanket
I haven't slept in what seems like a century
And now I can barely breathe
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Your words still serenade me
And your lullaby's, they won't let me sleep
And I've never heard such a haunting melody
Oh it's killing me
You know I can barely breathe
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
Just like the crow chasing the butterfly
Dandelions lost in the summer sky
When you and I were gettin' high as outer space
I never thought you would slip away
I guess I was just a little too late
Just a little too late
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I saw Shinedown live at The Egg on monday, in which Brent further explained the origins of this dream. He said he had a dream one day of a mother in a large open field, swinging alone on a swingset. He eventually realized that this woman was a mother, who lost her son. He said that while everyone views the mother as the crow and child as the butterfly, he views it the other way around. He says he looks at it as the mother is the butterfly, trying to move on in life and start again... but is being stopped by her memory of her son, the butterfly.