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.
Erase superstition,
Engraved in the mind,
Seek out, locate
The DNA that hides
Mind-imprisoning to restrain life
Knowledge forgotten, believe the lie
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
Complete exposition,
Ingrained unseen inside
Structure of fate
The DNA decides
All we know but can't believe,
Beyond all science and religions
Once lost now taken back, certain victory
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
Insane in every thought
Unsane our ways
Reclaim the knowledge lost
Subjugating tide
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
I am the tide, the iconoclast
I am the tide that marks the end
I will unfold and you will move onwards
On through the waves
Engraved in the mind,
Seek out, locate
The DNA that hides
Mind-imprisoning to restrain life
Knowledge forgotten, believe the lie
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
Complete exposition,
Ingrained unseen inside
Structure of fate
The DNA decides
All we know but can't believe,
Beyond all science and religions
Once lost now taken back, certain victory
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
Insane in every thought
Unsane our ways
Reclaim the knowledge lost
Subjugating tide
Vivid as a raging tidal wave
Every last illusion washed away
Taking life for granted, lead astray
Saved by catastrophy
Coming again, signs will descend
Ride on the tide that marks the end
Time to unfold, life will move onwards
Breaking the waves
I am the tide, the iconoclast
I am the tide that marks the end
I will unfold and you will move onwards
On through the waves
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Yeah, this is a really good song, I really like the two new singers. I think this song is about realising the true potential of the human mind, as well. I think it's saying that we only act/think in great ways when desperation calls us to do so but if we did so on a regular basis who knows what we could become...? More to support this is the definition of an iconclast which is one who wishes to make change in tradition or overthrows the accepted way.i think this ties in well.