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 kills me not to know this but I've all but just forgotten,
What the color of her eyes were and her scars or how she got them.
As the telling signs of age rain down, a single tear is dropping,
Through the valleys of an aging face that this world has forgotten.
There is no reconciliation that will put me in my place,
And there is no time like the present to drink these draining seconds.
But seldom do these words ring true when I'm constantly failing you?
Like walls that we just can't break through until we disappear.
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
And the day pressed on like crushing weights for no man does it ever wait,
Like memories of dying days that deafen us like hurricanes.
Bathed in flames we held the brand uncurled the fingers in your hand.
Pressed into the flesh like sand, now do you understand?
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
One thousand miles away, there's nothing left to say,
But so much left that I don't know.
We never had a choice, this world is too much noise.
It takes me under, it takes me under once again.
I don't hate you, I don't hate you, no.
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
I don't hate you, I don't hate you.
I don't hate you, I don't hate you, no.
What the color of her eyes were and her scars or how she got them.
As the telling signs of age rain down, a single tear is dropping,
Through the valleys of an aging face that this world has forgotten.
There is no reconciliation that will put me in my place,
And there is no time like the present to drink these draining seconds.
But seldom do these words ring true when I'm constantly failing you?
Like walls that we just can't break through until we disappear.
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
And the day pressed on like crushing weights for no man does it ever wait,
Like memories of dying days that deafen us like hurricanes.
Bathed in flames we held the brand uncurled the fingers in your hand.
Pressed into the flesh like sand, now do you understand?
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
One thousand miles away, there's nothing left to say,
But so much left that I don't know.
We never had a choice, this world is too much noise.
It takes me under, it takes me under once again.
I don't hate you, I don't hate you, no.
So tell me now,
If this ain't love then how do we get out?
'Cause I don't know.
That's when she said: "I don't hate you boy,
I just want to save you while there's still something left to save."
That's when I told her: "I love you girl,
But I'm not the answer for the questions that you still have."
I don't hate you, I don't hate you.
I don't hate you, I don't hate you, no.
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I think this and plaguerat's ideas are correct. To me it seems like its about Tim, only because he wrote it so obviously I'm gonna think that. Think about his situation, he thinks his obgligation is to spread his message and bring enlightenment to others, which he does through his music and his actions. He's always away on tours and/or recording music. And he has kids (or atleast one), which is probably why they both find it hard to walk away from the relationship. This song and The Dirt Whispered to me both reflect how Tim is feeling, or how I could see someone in his position feeling. He feels like he needs to do something to change the world, and he can't do it if hes at home, but at the same time, he cant be with his family if hes never home. Its basically a catch 22.