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.
We were afraid
We would never meet again
We would never see it through
Our time was short but not for no one reason
We couldn't stay
We were not each others truth
We were close but very far
I'll never see your face in sunshine again
We were there last summer
It was fresh as the ocean
It was great last summer
But we can not go back again.
We were trying
To repeat what we once had
But you left so many times
You can never go back again
We were there last summer
Oh maybe as time goes by
We will talk about it and laugh
But now it's too close, it's too close
We know what we must do
We were fools
To wonder when we'd get it back
I know I can not do it all again
The longing pain that we will deal with eventually
We were there last summer
We can not go back again
We can not go back again
We can not go back again, oh
We would never meet again
We would never see it through
Our time was short but not for no one reason
We couldn't stay
We were not each others truth
We were close but very far
I'll never see your face in sunshine again
We were there last summer
It was fresh as the ocean
It was great last summer
But we can not go back again.
We were trying
To repeat what we once had
But you left so many times
You can never go back again
We were there last summer
Oh maybe as time goes by
We will talk about it and laugh
But now it's too close, it's too close
We know what we must do
We were fools
To wonder when we'd get it back
I know I can not do it all again
The longing pain that we will deal with eventually
We were there last summer
We can not go back again
We can not go back again
We can not go back again, oh
Lyrics submitted by scarecrowlyrics
Last Summer Lyrics as written by Peter J. Yorn
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Wow what an amazing song!
The perfect time to put it out, too. Makes me think about my summer vacation, and if I'll be singing this next year... hopefully not. The lyrics are much more negative than the song.
Does anyone know where I can get this song???
Let's hope it's on the next CD
For me, it's about someone you had for a very short period of time and wish that the time never ended. The song explains how he's been accepting these things eventhough it's hard for him. He tries to treasure what happened and wish he'd go back to that same place, time and person but he's face with reality that it would never ever happened again.
It's happening to me, and i'll tell you, it's tough. really tough.