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'm pinned down by the dark
Been fighting with my sheets and nearly crying in my sleep
Yes, I'm battling that well-told gripe, the most restraining type
You should have racing stripes the way you keep me in pursuit
Sharpen the heel of your boot and you press it to my chest
And you make me wheeze, then to my knees you do promote me
I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
The light it fidgets through, the thoughts'll soon revert to you
About as bashful as a tribal dance, the first and final chance
And course the audience of frighteners and fiends
Divided up into two teams
When the acrobat fell off the beam, she broke everyone's heart
I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
The most unsuitable pet
It's been long enough now, so let's
Make a mess lioness
I'm pinned down by the dark
I'm pinned down by the dark, oh-oh-oh
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L
Been fighting with my sheets and nearly crying in my sleep
Yes, I'm battling that well-told gripe, the most restraining type
You should have racing stripes the way you keep me in pursuit
Sharpen the heel of your boot and you press it to my chest
And you make me wheeze, then to my knees you do promote me
I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
The light it fidgets through, the thoughts'll soon revert to you
About as bashful as a tribal dance, the first and final chance
And course the audience of frighteners and fiends
Divided up into two teams
When the acrobat fell off the beam, she broke everyone's heart
I'm pinned down by the dark
A-N-I-M-A-L
Makes my head pirouette
More than I would be willing to confess
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
The most unsuitable pet
It's been long enough now, so let's
Make a mess lioness
I'm pinned down by the dark
I'm pinned down by the dark, oh-oh-oh
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L
D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S
A-N-I-M-A-L
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I honestly feel like this song (like many others on the album) has a sexual connotation... I think it's about a guy who's chasing after a girl (or maybe he's in a relationship already). Either way, he's not getting any sex...
"Been fighting with my sheets Nearly crying in my sleep Yes, I'm battering that welt-up gripe The most frustrating type You should have racing stripes The way you keep me in pursuit"
Every night, he's frustrated with the "welt-up gripe" (ie: sexual repression). He could easily find another girl to sleep with, but this one keeps him "in pursuit". He's attracted and not willing to let go.
The chorus is just telling us how he wants her, but she won't let him sleep with her. "She makes my head pirouette". Maybe there is a communication problem about sex because he's not willing to "confess" this. As funny as it sounds, a Dangerous Animal may just mean a guy who is sexually frustrated.
"The night it fidgets through The photo soon reverts to you I'm about as bashful as a tribal dance the first and final chance"
At night, the guy is thinking about the girl. His "bashfulness" may refer to his erection...It's blatantly obvious. There is no hiding from his sexual desire. I'm not quite sure what the second half of that verse means...
Finally, here's what really tipped me off:
"The most unsuitable bred It's been long enough now So lets make a mess, lioness"
You've made me wait long enough, let's have sex.