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.
Candy talks to strangers
Thinks her life's in danger
No one gives a damn about her hair
It's lonely down on track street
She used to go by Jackie
The cops, they'll steal your dreams and they'll kill your prayers
Take a number where the blood just barely dried
Wait for something better
No one behind you
Watching your shadows
This feeling won't go
Crooked wheels keep turning
Children, are you learning
Acclimatize but don't you lose the plot
A history of blisters
Your brothers and your sisters
Somewhere in the pages we forgot
Take a number Jackie
Where the blood just barely dried
You know I'm on your side
Wait for something better
No one behind you
Watching your shadows
You gotta be stronger than the story
Don't let it blind you
Rivers of shadow
This feeling wont go
And the sky is full of dreams
But you don't know how to fly
I don't have a simple answer
But I know that I could answer
Something better
This feeling won't go
Wait for it [Repeat: x4]
Thinks her life's in danger
No one gives a damn about her hair
It's lonely down on track street
She used to go by Jackie
The cops, they'll steal your dreams and they'll kill your prayers
Take a number where the blood just barely dried
Wait for something better
No one behind you
Watching your shadows
This feeling won't go
Crooked wheels keep turning
Children, are you learning
Acclimatize but don't you lose the plot
A history of blisters
Your brothers and your sisters
Somewhere in the pages we forgot
Take a number Jackie
Where the blood just barely dried
You know I'm on your side
Wait for something better
No one behind you
Watching your shadows
You gotta be stronger than the story
Don't let it blind you
Rivers of shadow
This feeling wont go
And the sky is full of dreams
But you don't know how to fly
I don't have a simple answer
But I know that I could answer
Something better
This feeling won't go
Wait for it [Repeat: x4]
Lyrics submitted by jeremygrim
This Is Your Life Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Does anyone think it might refer to a heroin addict?
Candy talks to strangers (referring to drug users or dealers) Thinks her life's in danger (obviously, from paranoia induced drug use or from the fact that she is using) No one gives a damn about her hair It's lonely down on track street (maybe the track marks on her body) She used to go by Jackie The cops, they'll steal your dreams and they'll kill your prayers (got in trouble from using) Take a number where the blood just barely dried (blood from shooting up)
Wait for something better No one behind you Watching your shadows This feeling won't go (explains she is waiting for help, but no one is behind her or supporting her, and the feeling to use drugs wont go)