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 runnin' in the parkin' lot, I'm four years old
I am lost, those were the days
The soft murmur of voices in the other room
Comforting you as you fall asleep
Starin' at the mother-daughter clones go by
We're in a race against time, and time might be winning
And it's not gonna take all day long
Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy
And I'm on my way, oh, somewhere
Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark
How long must we wait?
How long must this stay?
Oh wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
I am ashamed I think maybe sometimes
I might've used tricks to make you like me more
When I found you I was running wild
Let's get out of here, was in trouble there
I wanna know
What are you thinking
'Cause I think
I think it too
Slidin' across the Indian wilderness
Like the wind gliding down soft roads
Six AM now you're in Hollywood
And you're dancin', we made it
We are turning back the Earth so fast
But it feels a lot slower
And it's not gonna take all day long
Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy
And I'm on my way, oh, somewhere
Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark
How long will it take
To fix what they break?
Oh wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Your Achilles heel is you like to feel
Your fingers on the wheel
Some live in a palace, some live in the sewers
The director, and the actor, and the crew, and the viewers
Boys get their toys and girls got their dolls
And nothing much else changes through the final stages
How you're spendin' the day is the same as your life
And you're watchin' the time running away
Oh wait up, wait up, oh wait up, wait up
Oh wait up, wait up, wait up, wait up
Wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
I am lost, those were the days
The soft murmur of voices in the other room
Comforting you as you fall asleep
Starin' at the mother-daughter clones go by
We're in a race against time, and time might be winning
And it's not gonna take all day long
Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy
And I'm on my way, oh, somewhere
Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark
How long must we wait?
How long must this stay?
Oh wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
I am ashamed I think maybe sometimes
I might've used tricks to make you like me more
When I found you I was running wild
Let's get out of here, was in trouble there
I wanna know
What are you thinking
'Cause I think
I think it too
Slidin' across the Indian wilderness
Like the wind gliding down soft roads
Six AM now you're in Hollywood
And you're dancin', we made it
We are turning back the Earth so fast
But it feels a lot slower
And it's not gonna take all day long
Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy
And I'm on my way, oh, somewhere
Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark
How long will it take
To fix what they break?
Oh wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Your Achilles heel is you like to feel
Your fingers on the wheel
Some live in a palace, some live in the sewers
The director, and the actor, and the crew, and the viewers
Boys get their toys and girls got their dolls
And nothing much else changes through the final stages
How you're spendin' the day is the same as your life
And you're watchin' the time running away
Oh wait up, wait up, oh wait up, wait up
Oh wait up, wait up, wait up, wait up
Wake up, wake up, oh wake up, wake up
Oh wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Lyrics submitted by a_transient
Left & Right in the Dark Lyrics as written by Julian Casablancas
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Running in the parking lot, I'm four years old I am lost, those were the days Soft memory of voices in the other room Comforting you, as you fall asleep
Staring at the mother-daughter clones go by We're in a race against time And time might be winning
And it's not gonna take all day long Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy And I'm on my way on somewhere Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark How long must you wait How long must you stay
Wake up (x8)
I'm just saying that there may have be sometimes I might have used tricks to make you like me more When I found you I was running wld Let's get outta here, and let's travel there
I wanna know what are you baby 'Cause I think, I think you don't know
Sliding across the Indian wildnerness Like the wind, riding down sore throats 6am and you're in Hollywood And you're dancing, we made it
We are turning back the Earth so fast That it feels a lot slower
And it's not gonna take all day long Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy And I'm on my way on somewhere Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark How long will it take To fix what can't break
Wake up (x8)
Your girl is ill, as you like to feel Your fingers on the wheel Don't let the ? all live in the zoo With the director and the actor and the groom and the viewers Boys get their toys and girls get their dolls and Nothing much gets easier in the final stages
Are you spending today as the same As your life in corruption and ?
Wait up (x8) Wake up (x8)
Running in the parking lot, I'm four years old<br /> I am lost, those were the days<br /> Soft memory of voices in the other room<br /> Comforting you, as you fall asleep<br /> <br /> Staring at the mother-daughter clones go by<br /> We're in a race against time<br /> And time might be winning<br /> <br /> And it's not gonna take all day long<br /> Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy<br /> And I'm on my way on somewhere<br /> Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark<br /> How long must you wait<br /> How long must you stay<br /> <br /> Wake up (x8)<br /> <br /> I'm just saying that there may have be sometimes<br /> I might have used tricks to make you like me more<br /> When I found you I was running wild<br /> Let's get outta here, and to travel there<br /> <br /> I wanna know what are you baby<br /> 'Cause I think, I think you don't know<br /> <br /> Sliding across the Indian wildnerness<br /> Like the wind, riding down sore throats<br /> 6am now you're in Hollywood<br /> And you're dancing, we made it<br /> <br /> We are turning with the earth so fast<br /> but it feels a lot slower<br /> <br /> <br /> And it's not gonna take all day long<br /> Watching the urban decay all around us, oh boy<br /> And I'm on my way on somewhere<br /> Feels like I'm going left and right in the dark<br /> How long will it take<br /> To fix what can't break<br /> <br /> Wake up (x8)<br /> <br /> Your girl is ill, as you like to feel<br /> Your fingers on the wheel<br /> Don't let the nobodies all live in the zoo<br /> With the director and the actor and the groom and the viewers<br /> Boys get their toys and girls get their dolls and<br /> Nothing much gets easier in the final stages<br /> <br /> Are you spending today as the same<br /> As your life and youre watching the time running away<br /> <br /> Wait up (x8)<br /> Wake up (x8)
I'm not sure, but I keep hearing "Your achilles heel is you like to feel your fingers on the wheel..." at the end?
ochreleaves, i think youre right! i listened to the song more and those lyrics fit better. i also think that <br /> "With the director and the actor and the groom and the viewers"<br /> should be "With the director and the actor and the crew and the viewers" i think thats what it sounds like more?