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 sad in the morning
when I'm waking from sleeping
I cling to my dreaming
and speed up my breathing
So blue oooh ah oooh
Cruel at your wedding
lift the veil for a halo
standing there wishing
but someone is not, filling their part
a ghost of hope at the most
go on, go on and take your toast
Go down
I might as well go down
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
Cut off the ceiling
looking up through a pin hole
letting my love grow
then hanging my head low
I'm so cold
I hope my head does not explode
Lifting up an arm to help the needy
Saving up some change to buy some time
life is moving forward much too quickly
but it's alright. it's alright
pick me up and put me where you need me
living every day next to the lies
everywhere I step I know you'll lead me
and there I find, I find that this is love
This is love
I've learned to love and live and leave the hating
but sometimes it sneaks back up and has a stay
and everyday I'm sure I'm getting better
then I slip away, I slip away
then looking up I saw a ghostly figure
chills went from my feet up to my brain
I laid still and let the feeling sink into my skin
and take the pain, take the pain away
Yeah this is love
Go down
I might as well go down
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
when I'm waking from sleeping
I cling to my dreaming
and speed up my breathing
So blue oooh ah oooh
Cruel at your wedding
lift the veil for a halo
standing there wishing
but someone is not, filling their part
a ghost of hope at the most
go on, go on and take your toast
Go down
I might as well go down
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
Cut off the ceiling
looking up through a pin hole
letting my love grow
then hanging my head low
I'm so cold
I hope my head does not explode
Lifting up an arm to help the needy
Saving up some change to buy some time
life is moving forward much too quickly
but it's alright. it's alright
pick me up and put me where you need me
living every day next to the lies
everywhere I step I know you'll lead me
and there I find, I find that this is love
This is love
I've learned to love and live and leave the hating
but sometimes it sneaks back up and has a stay
and everyday I'm sure I'm getting better
then I slip away, I slip away
then looking up I saw a ghostly figure
chills went from my feet up to my brain
I laid still and let the feeling sink into my skin
and take the pain, take the pain away
Yeah this is love
Go down
I might as well go down
I might as well go down
I might as well drown
Lyrics submitted by skinnycheeks
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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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