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.
Broken, bones and the will
Capacity to disappear in misery saves
Soaking, pain as a thrill, hate to instill
Compassion's a cage
Forgiving the father
Read the story on my skin
I'll be the martyr
Falling from his grace again
Sunken, sooner or later
We crawl our way back into our favorite hole
Drunken, swallow the savior
And follow him to hang from the highest pole
Forgiving the father
Read the story on my skin
Tell me more about the man I should have been, yeah!
I'll be the martyr
Falling from his grace again
This is where the end begins
Capacity to disappear in misery saves
Soaking, pain as a thrill, hate to instill
Compassion's a cage
Forgiving the father
Read the story on my skin
I'll be the martyr
Falling from his grace again
Sunken, sooner or later
We crawl our way back into our favorite hole
Drunken, swallow the savior
And follow him to hang from the highest pole
Forgiving the father
Read the story on my skin
Tell me more about the man I should have been, yeah!
I'll be the martyr
Falling from his grace again
This is where the end begins
Lyrics submitted by SPuckett36
Grace Lyrics as written by Mark Morton David Randall Blythe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I dont understand how this song doesnt have more written about it. to me it is a top 5 metal song ever. quick emphasis, i said for me its a top 5.
as far as the meaning, Ive pondered it a while and i was hoping someone would post their interpretation on here so i could compare what I thought to them, but no one has so here goes.
I think its a song about and abusive parent, most likely a father.
Broken, Bones and the will. Capacity to disappear in misery saves. ~being beaten by the father and hiding within oneself misery to escape from the pain
Soaking, Pain as a thrill, Hate to instill. Compassion's a cage. ~the father basically gettin his rocks off, inflicting pain is a thrill, he instills the hatred and by showing compassion tot he child he'd be weak
Sunken, sooner or later. We crawl our way back into our favorite hole ~again, hiding within oneself to escape the torture
Drunken, swallow the savior, And follow him to hang him from the highest pole. ~i got nothing on this verse, perhaps turning away from faith? sort of a "how does God or a god let this happen to me?
Forgiving the father. Read the story on my skin, Tell me more about the man I should have been. I'll be the martyr. Falling from his grace again. ~forgiving the Father (God?) for the beatings. the story is the scars from the beatings. The father beats him because the son isnt what the father wanted, gay or something> who knows.
i could be misinterpreting what a martyr is, however, to me this sounds like he's taking the fall from His grace, condemning himself to hell and is going to kill the father. freeing himself and others, siblings perhaps, from the fathers abuse?
i'm not sure, this is the best i could come up with, hopefully its a starting point and some others can jump on and throw in their two cents. its a phenomenal song and i believe it has a very deep meaning and im betting im not even close to what it is or maybe just scratching the surface. LOG kicks ass
\m/
Randy was drunk while writing Wrath ^^ so ofcourse it doesnt make any sense :P