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.
Isabella, Isabella.
Don't you turn me down
I've been knocking on the front door
Of my very own house
Isabella, Isabella
Don't treat me like I'm dead and gone
I just want to see my baby daughter before her childhood is gone
Isabella, Isabella
Let me in the door
Or I'll kick out the window
And spill glass on the floor
Isabella, Isabella
Tell me where my daughter is
Tell me how all my love could have led to this
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella, Isabella
Don't you turn me down
I've been knocking on the front door
Of my very own house
Isabella, Isabella
Don't treat me like I'm dead and gone
I just want to see my baby daughter before her childhood is gone
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did.
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella, maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella, Isabella
I know where you keep your gun
Don't think that I've forgotten
All that you've done
Isabella, Isabella
They wont ever find you
Six feet under
'Til the red and thunder finish all that I have left of you
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella.
Don't you turn me down
I've been knocking on the front door
Of my very own house
Isabella, Isabella
Don't treat me like I'm dead and gone
I just want to see my baby daughter before her childhood is gone
Isabella, Isabella
Let me in the door
Or I'll kick out the window
And spill glass on the floor
Isabella, Isabella
Tell me where my daughter is
Tell me how all my love could have led to this
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella, Isabella
Don't you turn me down
I've been knocking on the front door
Of my very own house
Isabella, Isabella
Don't treat me like I'm dead and gone
I just want to see my baby daughter before her childhood is gone
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did.
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella, maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella, Isabella
I know where you keep your gun
Don't think that I've forgotten
All that you've done
Isabella, Isabella
They wont ever find you
Six feet under
'Til the red and thunder finish all that I have left of you
And Isabella you don't have to love me like you did
Maybe things have fallen for the better
Isabella maybe you're just glad to be rid of me
I hope I'm on your mind
Isabella's on my mind
I can hardly help but think of all the damage we have left behind us.
Isabella.
Lyrics submitted by sully30
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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 think this song is pretty straight forward. It's about a relationship that didn't work out and the child that was concieved through it. I do love the line "Isabella you don't have to love me like you did Maybe things have fallen for the better Isabella maybe you're just glad to be rid of me" I love Mason Jennings, very powerful stuff.