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.
i am a man that does not have a way.
millions of oceans can show me, you say.
we still run around like there's no better way,
and i don't stay.
so last night when you threw the glass on the wall,
you realized the end would be following.
you don't say what you mean when you need me to go.
so just know...
out on the highway in the desert unknown.
i'll find a way to get back to you, though.
i still run around like i don't have a home
cause even when i'm around, i've got no place to go.
and i know i'm not what you need,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
so how can i tell you i need you to stay?
i've done it before, it don't mean anything.
and i still wait around to see if they'll let me go
through heaven's doors, alone.
and i know i'm not what you need,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
yeah i realize it is settling,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
i'm not who i've led you to believe,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
yeah i realize it is settling,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
because you're the thing that makes me settling,
so i'm okay with me, if you're okay with me.
cause i know you're not what i need,
but you're okay with me, yeah you're okay with me.
yeah you're okay with me.
millions of oceans can show me, you say.
we still run around like there's no better way,
and i don't stay.
so last night when you threw the glass on the wall,
you realized the end would be following.
you don't say what you mean when you need me to go.
so just know...
out on the highway in the desert unknown.
i'll find a way to get back to you, though.
i still run around like i don't have a home
cause even when i'm around, i've got no place to go.
and i know i'm not what you need,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
so how can i tell you i need you to stay?
i've done it before, it don't mean anything.
and i still wait around to see if they'll let me go
through heaven's doors, alone.
and i know i'm not what you need,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
yeah i realize it is settling,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
i'm not who i've led you to believe,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
yeah i realize it is settling,
but it's okay--yeah it's okay with me.
because you're the thing that makes me settling,
so i'm okay with me, if you're okay with me.
cause i know you're not what i need,
but you're okay with me, yeah you're okay with me.
yeah you're okay with me.
Lyrics submitted by iquitmyscene, edited by ettov
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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this song has the same vibe as coca-cola by brand new. i think it's the hallow sound that andys voice has, as well as the guitar. solid song nonetheless.