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've got a nightmare to remember, I'll never be the same
What began as laughter so soon would turn to pain
The sky was clear and frigid, the air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget and I bet I never will
Picture for a moment the perfect irony
A flawless new beginning eclipsed by tragedy
The uninvited stranger started dancing on his own
So we said goodbye to the glowing bride and made our way back home
Life was so simple then
We were so innocent
Father and mother
holding each other
Without warning
Out of nowhere
Like a bullet
From the night
Crushing glass
Rubber and steel
Scorching fire
Glowing lights
Screams of terror
Pain of fear
Sounds of sirens
Smoke in my eyes
Sudden stillness
wrapped in silence
No more screaming
No more cries
Stunned and bewildered
Cold and afraid
Torn up and broken
Frightened and dazed
Stunned and bewildered
Cold and afraid
Torn up and broken
Frightened and dazed
Lying on the table in this unfamiliar place
I'm greeted by a stranger, a man without a face
He said, "Son do you remember? Do you even know your name?"
Then he shined a light into my eyes and said
"Take this for the pain"
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake
and thought of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
"Tell me, does this hurt you?" said the faceless man
"Can you move all of your fingers? Can you try your best to stand?"
I asked about the others
"Is everyone okay?"
He told me not to worry as he turned and looked away
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake
and thought of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
Day after day and night after night
Replaying the events
Did they ever see the red light?
Over and over, scene by scene
Like a recurring nightmare haunting my dreams
How can you prepare for what would happen next?
No son should ever have to see his father such a mess
It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died
By the grace of God above, everyone survived
Life was so simple then
We were so innocent
It will stay with us forever
A nightmare to remember
What began as laughter so soon would turn to pain
The sky was clear and frigid, the air was thick and still
Now I'm not one to soon forget and I bet I never will
Picture for a moment the perfect irony
A flawless new beginning eclipsed by tragedy
The uninvited stranger started dancing on his own
So we said goodbye to the glowing bride and made our way back home
Life was so simple then
We were so innocent
Father and mother
holding each other
Without warning
Out of nowhere
Like a bullet
From the night
Crushing glass
Rubber and steel
Scorching fire
Glowing lights
Screams of terror
Pain of fear
Sounds of sirens
Smoke in my eyes
Sudden stillness
wrapped in silence
No more screaming
No more cries
Stunned and bewildered
Cold and afraid
Torn up and broken
Frightened and dazed
Stunned and bewildered
Cold and afraid
Torn up and broken
Frightened and dazed
Lying on the table in this unfamiliar place
I'm greeted by a stranger, a man without a face
He said, "Son do you remember? Do you even know your name?"
Then he shined a light into my eyes and said
"Take this for the pain"
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake
and thought of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
"Tell me, does this hurt you?" said the faceless man
"Can you move all of your fingers? Can you try your best to stand?"
I asked about the others
"Is everyone okay?"
He told me not to worry as he turned and looked away
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
I am endlessly falling, lost in this wonderful misery
In peaceful sedation, I lay half awake
and thought of the panic inside starts to fade
Hopelessly drifting, bathing in beautiful agony
Day after day and night after night
Replaying the events
Did they ever see the red light?
Over and over, scene by scene
Like a recurring nightmare haunting my dreams
How can you prepare for what would happen next?
No son should ever have to see his father such a mess
It's a miracle he lived, it's a blessing no one died
By the grace of God above, everyone survived
Life was so simple then
We were so innocent
It will stay with us forever
A nightmare to remember
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64
A Nightmare to Remember Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I could swear it's "In peaceful sedation I lay half awake".