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.
We were taught to kneel and bow our heads
Tried simply standing up instead
Heard rumors of transparent legs
And walks for days and days
These days we reach for so much more
We reached the point where we can't go home
Alone we wait here underground
Amidst the others waiting
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
We go our own way
So save us
Who would guess you were the chosen one?
Right place, you were the firstborn son
Once questioned stable state of mind
To spend some time in the gutter
A full collapse, we're caving in
Just wait for faith to kick in
Lost track of time as I stood in line
Amidst the other believers
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
We go our own way
So save us
Over and over and I still cannot believe
We can't save ourselves
Give me a chance up on the cross and watch me bleed
Now ask for help
Having faith in something you can't see
Takes something else
Over and over and I still cannot believe
We can save ourselves
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
Send your prayers our way
To save us
Tried simply standing up instead
Heard rumors of transparent legs
And walks for days and days
These days we reach for so much more
We reached the point where we can't go home
Alone we wait here underground
Amidst the others waiting
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
We go our own way
So save us
Who would guess you were the chosen one?
Right place, you were the firstborn son
Once questioned stable state of mind
To spend some time in the gutter
A full collapse, we're caving in
Just wait for faith to kick in
Lost track of time as I stood in line
Amidst the other believers
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
We go our own way
So save us
Over and over and I still cannot believe
We can't save ourselves
Give me a chance up on the cross and watch me bleed
Now ask for help
Having faith in something you can't see
Takes something else
Over and over and I still cannot believe
We can save ourselves
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
So pray, then, if it makes you feel safe
But all I can is we go our own way
Send your prayers our way
To save us
Lyrics submitted by thegingerfatone
On the Cross Lyrics as written by Robert Mccracken Daniel Whitesides
Lyrics © THE BEST MUSIC COMPANY
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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:
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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:
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"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"
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Great version of a great song,
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I usually don't listen to remixes because they end up being either boring or annoying or they don't capture the essence of a song, in this case, boy I'm glad I got this Bside. I wouldn't call it a remix, I'd say it's a "remake" of On The Cross, and a damn good one, it only uses the chorus as a base but the beat and feel to it is different (and in my opinion, better)
This remake shows a more subtle side of the original's lyrics, it's showing how Bert (or whoever the protagonist of the song is) wants to believe in a supreme being or force and he's determined to endure awful moments just to get a proof that there's something out there.I see this song as a person who has lost his faith and now it's doubting the chosen path. A personal struggle. On the other side, original On the Cross had a feeling of a believer leaving his faith but respecting other's beliefs.
Anyway, I like this song better, give it a go.
i agree.
I agree with dag 102.
I also believe he's struggling with problems in his life, and he's saying that no one will really listen to him. So he's saying that he'll deal with it himself. He wants to believe in this thing that everyone is talking about, it's just hard after all he's been through.