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.
The pain is too much to bear, my life's defined by despair
The gossip leaks, the demons speak to me
And I'll admit I'm afraid, but it's not for my own sake
My clock counts down, I'll kill this town, you see?
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
Your grip on your grudge is tight, I only want peace tonight
But you won't let yourself forget what's done
I only desire peace, but all this hate is released
Directed towards me but what for, I run
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
'Cause I'm still afraid of pain, in my body and my brain
Sometimes I wish that when I was young
I would've pulled that trigger on that gun
Well, I have suffered so
Hoping you'd let it go
But now I thirst for peace
I suffered in vain, I can't escape
Which will stop first, my heartbeat or my thirst?
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
Am I threatened or a threat? It's not been discovered yet
So why don't we play it safe, and let love overcome hate
The gossip leaks, the demons speak to me
And I'll admit I'm afraid, but it's not for my own sake
My clock counts down, I'll kill this town, you see?
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
Your grip on your grudge is tight, I only want peace tonight
But you won't let yourself forget what's done
I only desire peace, but all this hate is released
Directed towards me but what for, I run
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
'Cause I'm still afraid of pain, in my body and my brain
Sometimes I wish that when I was young
I would've pulled that trigger on that gun
Well, I have suffered so
Hoping you'd let it go
But now I thirst for peace
I suffered in vain, I can't escape
Which will stop first, my heartbeat or my thirst?
That I'm not afraid of you, or the shit you put my through
Well, I wish you'd lose your hate before my demon escapes
Am I threatened or a threat? It's not been discovered yet
So why don't we play it safe, and let love overcome hate
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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