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'd hand it to time if I knew where the time had gone
the connoisseurs were wrong
and so was everyone else
I know what they're saying cuz that's all they talk about
just need to figure out
some shit for myself
and just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's even true
heard it all and I believe that we deserve another point of view
we can make it if we try
and if we don't it's gonna still be alright
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
make up your mind make up your own mythology
afraid of finding me
and of defining you
take what you want but you won't want it where your at
I know this for a fact
just because it's so true
the first place my mind goes is where I never want it to
like where it hurts the most or all the stupid shit I say and do
you can make it if you try
and if you don' it's gonna still be all right
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide why
telling me thousands of times what's next to want
just doing their job but you know that's a dirty job
can't stand this game still we're bullied to play along
when bullies grow up they get meaner
yeah they really get it down
they think that they get it but they always get it wrong
they'll play your favorite song
just to sell shit to you
I've heard that they'll sell anything and I think they might
I think Bill Hicks was right
about what they should do
and just because you love something doesn't mean it's yours to buy
been selling it so long that no one even knows the reason why
you've been messing with our minds
gettin' rich wasting our time
the connoisseurs were wrong
and so was everyone else
I know what they're saying cuz that's all they talk about
just need to figure out
some shit for myself
and just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's even true
heard it all and I believe that we deserve another point of view
we can make it if we try
and if we don't it's gonna still be alright
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
make up your mind make up your own mythology
afraid of finding me
and of defining you
take what you want but you won't want it where your at
I know this for a fact
just because it's so true
the first place my mind goes is where I never want it to
like where it hurts the most or all the stupid shit I say and do
you can make it if you try
and if you don' it's gonna still be all right
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide why
telling me thousands of times what's next to want
just doing their job but you know that's a dirty job
can't stand this game still we're bullied to play along
when bullies grow up they get meaner
yeah they really get it down
they think that they get it but they always get it wrong
they'll play your favorite song
just to sell shit to you
I've heard that they'll sell anything and I think they might
I think Bill Hicks was right
about what they should do
and just because you love something doesn't mean it's yours to buy
been selling it so long that no one even knows the reason why
you've been messing with our minds
gettin' rich wasting our time
Lyrics submitted by nbenmargi
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
this song reminds me a lot of death of a salesman