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.
When I was a boy
I didn't care 'bout a thing
It was me and this world and a broken dream
I was blaming myself
For all that was going wrong
I was way out there
On the wrong side of town
And the ones that I loved
I started pushing 'em out
Then I realized
That it was all my fault
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
So I put out my hand
And I asked for some help
We tore down the walls I built around myself
I was struck by the light
And I fell to the ground
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
Is there anybody out there?
Can you pull me from this ocean of despair?
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
You know a heart of gold
Won't take you all the way
And in a world so cold
It's hard to keep the faith
I'm never gonna fade away!
Yeah!
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
Is there anybody out there?
Can you pull me from this ocean of despair?
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline (looking for a lifeline)
I didn't care 'bout a thing
It was me and this world and a broken dream
I was blaming myself
For all that was going wrong
I was way out there
On the wrong side of town
And the ones that I loved
I started pushing 'em out
Then I realized
That it was all my fault
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
So I put out my hand
And I asked for some help
We tore down the walls I built around myself
I was struck by the light
And I fell to the ground
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
Is there anybody out there?
Can you pull me from this ocean of despair?
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
You know a heart of gold
Won't take you all the way
And in a world so cold
It's hard to keep the faith
I'm never gonna fade away!
Yeah!
I've been looking for a lifeline
For what seems like a lifetime
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline
Is there anybody out there?
Can you pull me from this ocean of despair?
I'm drowning in the pain
Breaking down again
Looking for a lifeline (looking for a lifeline)
Lyrics submitted by afitch1206
Lifeline Lyrics as written by Tobin Esperance James Michael
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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am I the only one who's noticed some heavy lyrical similarities between this and Social Distortion's I Was Wrong? it struck me right away the first time I heard this song.
Social Distortion: When I was young, I was so full of fear ... It was me against the world, I was sure that I'd win ... I felt so alone, so insecure, I blamed you instead and made sure I was heard ... I was wrong, I realized now that I was wrong
Papa Roach: When I was a boy ... It was me and this world and a broken dream ... I was blaming myself ... then I realized That it was all my fault