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.
if we never grow up,
baby what can we be?
I can be your promises and you my possibility
you can hide and I can seek
one day maybe the two will meet
and they'll fly away like a bird like a plane
we can make it , we can make it…
if we never grow up
baby what can we be?
I can be your camera and through me you can see
that you can't hide, I can't seek
one day maybe the two shall meet,
like a bird, like a plane.
we can make it, like a bird like a plane x3
I know you think that these are walls of stone
and that you made your heart a lonely home
if you give me a little give me a little time
I can heal your heart but I feel ya,
you can't hide, I can't seek
one day maybe the two shall meet and fly away
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
do it while you're too young
do it while you're too young, too young, too young to care x4
baby what can we be?
I can be your promises and you my possibility
you can hide and I can seek
one day maybe the two will meet
and they'll fly away like a bird like a plane
we can make it , we can make it…
if we never grow up
baby what can we be?
I can be your camera and through me you can see
that you can't hide, I can't seek
one day maybe the two shall meet,
like a bird, like a plane.
we can make it, like a bird like a plane x3
I know you think that these are walls of stone
and that you made your heart a lonely home
if you give me a little give me a little time
I can heal your heart but I feel ya,
you can't hide, I can't seek
one day maybe the two shall meet and fly away
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
like a bird, like a plane
do it while you're too young
do it while you're too young, too young, too young to care x4
Lyrics submitted by tallgreengrass
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.