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 went rolling up the coast 'til there was no more coast to wander
We tried every different road just to see which took us further
We were living on the run, but there was no one chasing after
We were looking out for love, and we were flirting with disaster
While the world fades out
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We stayed on the run too long
Hoping we'd never return
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
We turned out into the planes, we turned in when we got tired
We slept two across the bench, and we fit three under the covers
We had just enough cash left to top the tank and fill the cooler
And we lit the van with dreams until the sun burned into cinders
And the world fades out
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We stayed on the run too long
Hoping we'd never return
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders, into cinders
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
Oh, into cinders
Oh
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
We tried every different road just to see which took us further
We were living on the run, but there was no one chasing after
We were looking out for love, and we were flirting with disaster
While the world fades out
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We stayed on the run too long
Hoping we'd never return
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
We turned out into the planes, we turned in when we got tired
We slept two across the bench, and we fit three under the covers
We had just enough cash left to top the tank and fill the cooler
And we lit the van with dreams until the sun burned into cinders
And the world fades out
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We stayed on the run too long
Hoping we'd never return
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders, into cinders
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
We stayed in the sun too long
Suffered a terrible burn
Now everybody learns from disaster
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
Oh, into cinders
Oh
We watched the sun burn down
We watched the sun burn down into cinders
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Favourite song off the new album. Simply amazing.
Like so many of Chris' songs, this feels like summer to me. Recalling great times with friends, & recognizing that even the not-so-great parts were still great in memory.
Top the tank* and fill the cooler.
Amazing song. I agree, starcrossdlove, it feels like it belongs on Dusk and Summer to me. I can just picture late nights at the beach and a big group of close friends. Now just memories.
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THIS SONG IS AMAAAAZING!!!! I LOVE IT!!! it is sooo positive!!! it puts me in a good mood!!! its like after all the mess look at me and i am right because i learn from the bad situations!!!