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 drive you crazy,
As I said that I would.
Do you still want me?
I don't see how you could.
This is the way that I've been.
This is what I have to change.
I want to be better,
Have much more to offer.
But I can't alone, so please say you'll stay.
I'll win you over.
I've never been so sure.
Take my every word.
All for you I'm for.
I'll win you over.
I'm never giving up.
And though changing takes a long time,
I'll do anything for love. (For Love)
I'm sorry, baby.
But I meant all I said.
It's just not the time now.
So you go on ahead.
This is the way that I've been.
This is what I have to change.
I want to be better,
Have much more to offer.
I'm gonna try alone, so please do not stay.
But you've won me over.
You've never been so sure.
I took your every word.
All for me, you were.
You've won me over.
Don't say you're giving up.
You knew that changing took a long time,
& would do anything for love.
You told me all these things,
For better or for worse.
I recall every single moment;
Stays with me like a curse.
You can't just take it back.
Your words were mine to keep.
Just don't forget that I'm the one you need.
You've won me over.
you've never been so sure.
I took your every word
All for me, you were.
You've won me over.
Don't say you're giving up.
You knew that changing took a long time,
said you'd do anything for love (3x)
This is the way that I've been.
There's so much I have to change.
I'm gonna be better.
Have much more to offer.
But I can't right now, so hopefully one day.
As I said that I would.
Do you still want me?
I don't see how you could.
This is the way that I've been.
This is what I have to change.
I want to be better,
Have much more to offer.
But I can't alone, so please say you'll stay.
I'll win you over.
I've never been so sure.
Take my every word.
All for you I'm for.
I'll win you over.
I'm never giving up.
And though changing takes a long time,
I'll do anything for love. (For Love)
I'm sorry, baby.
But I meant all I said.
It's just not the time now.
So you go on ahead.
This is the way that I've been.
This is what I have to change.
I want to be better,
Have much more to offer.
I'm gonna try alone, so please do not stay.
But you've won me over.
You've never been so sure.
I took your every word.
All for me, you were.
You've won me over.
Don't say you're giving up.
You knew that changing took a long time,
& would do anything for love.
You told me all these things,
For better or for worse.
I recall every single moment;
Stays with me like a curse.
You can't just take it back.
Your words were mine to keep.
Just don't forget that I'm the one you need.
You've won me over.
you've never been so sure.
I took your every word
All for me, you were.
You've won me over.
Don't say you're giving up.
You knew that changing took a long time,
said you'd do anything for love (3x)
This is the way that I've been.
There's so much I have to change.
I'm gonna be better.
Have much more to offer.
But I can't right now, so hopefully one day.
Lyrics submitted by mrstreetlight
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,