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.
Ten miles from town
And I just broke down
Spitting out smoke on the side of the road
I'm out here alone
Just trying to get home
To tell you I was wrong, but you already know
Believe me, I won't stop at nothing to see you
So I've started running
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
Last time we talked
The night that I walked
Burns like an iron in the back
Of my mind
I must have been high
To say you and I weren't meant to be
And just wasting my time
Oh why did I ever doubt you
You know I would die here without you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
You and I, right or wrong
There's no other one
After this time spent alone
It's hard to believe
That a man with sight could be so blind
Thinking about the better times
Must've been out of my mind
So I'm running back to tell you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
Without you God knows what I'd do
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
I know there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you ya
And I just broke down
Spitting out smoke on the side of the road
I'm out here alone
Just trying to get home
To tell you I was wrong, but you already know
Believe me, I won't stop at nothing to see you
So I've started running
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
Last time we talked
The night that I walked
Burns like an iron in the back
Of my mind
I must have been high
To say you and I weren't meant to be
And just wasting my time
Oh why did I ever doubt you
You know I would die here without you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you
You and I, right or wrong
There's no other one
After this time spent alone
It's hard to believe
That a man with sight could be so blind
Thinking about the better times
Must've been out of my mind
So I'm running back to tell you
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
Without you God knows what I'd do
All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughing with you
And I think that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
I know there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you
No there's no life after you ya
Lyrics submitted by fallacyofdualism
Life After You Lyrics as written by Brett James Chad Kroeger
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, HYVETOWN MUSIC INC, 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
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When I was listening to this for the first time, I thought the song was really sweet right after I heard the lines "Believe me I won't stop at nothin', To see you so I've started runnin'."
I think its about wanting to hurry and get home to fix things after an arguement. Daughtry is such an incredible band. everything they bring carries an awsome meaning and every song is delivered with such strength. what took them so long to get here!?!
i think pretty much chris is trying to get the message out that if you love someone, and things dont seem to work out, dont give up and go after her. overall shes what you want, sometimes what your need.
"It's hard to believe that a man with sight could be so blind"
This is probably my favorite line.
The song itself is basically a guy regreting some of the things he said to the person he loves. And realizing that there's no one like her, or atleast to him
This is what every girl that walks away from a relationship secretly hopes will happen but it never does!!
That’s my plan. You see this is me and my best friend of 7 years song. Currently were on opposite sides of the globe we had tried a long distance relationship which ended in a hudge fight. After which we didn’t talk for a whole 3 months (at least weekly before then). She was the one that re-initiated talking, and after a few weeks I gave her a call to say how messed up I was. She said she was messed up to. My plan is to go back home and remind her why I am important to her.<br /> <br /> we hav both walked, said the wrong thing, Said we werent meant to be and burns like an iorn in both our heads. Without each other lord kows what we'ld do.
Girlfriend of 3 years broke up with me a month ago, still love her like crazy because she's the only one that understood me. Not saying our relationship was perfect at all. We are both busy with school and me especially coming from a strict family I needed good grades. I figured the hardships we went through now i could always provide for her a good life. She told me that she was moving on and that she didn't love me anymore..but i still love her..and always will...maybe it doesn't matter what road it takes as long in the end she's in my arms. I don't know if she still loves me or if she ever will again. All i know is that she was perfect in my eyes and I want her back so much. If i had one more chance i'd never let her go.
dude that sucks man. I am in a similar situation with my ex- we went to HS together but decided to go to different schools, and we had to split up. but even after 6 months I still wonder if she was it. but only time will tell.
I think some of us get to the point in our lives where we realize what's most important in this life and who you really want to spend your time with. I love the lyrics to this song because he just wants to be happy and has decided there's that one person who makes him happiest. I love the line "You and I, right or wrong", meaning it doesn't matter if it's the perfect situation or there are issues with the relationship, having that person to laugh with, grow old with, and love forever is worth any struggle that may come along.
Plus Chris Daughtry is really hot, how can you not love him and his music? LOL
I like this song from the new album.
I've noticed it has a similar rhthym to "Daughters" by John Mayer.
This is my fave song right now! It's amazing!!!! :D
seeing them tonight!!!!!
You know I would die here without You...