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 you're gonna hang me out to dry
At least have the courtesy to make sure it isn't raining
Another pointless story of a really pointless story
And I hope you get this message really loud and clear
(If we could go back and start over I'd do this all the same)
I wish every girl wore camo, and every line stings like ammo
And everybody sings just to throw it in your face
If I had the guts, I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I'm thinking that it's probably real
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I wrote it all for you
Well, this will be the last thing that I ever write about you
If you're gonna read me like a book
Then please tell me what's in the last chapter
I've given too much time and too much thought into your selfish body
I'm losing sleep at night and dreaming in the day
(If we could go back and start over I'd do this all the same)
I wish every girl wore camo, and every line stings like ammo
And everybody sings just to throw it in your face
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I'm thinking that it's probably real
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I wrote it all for you
Well, this will be the last thing that I ever write about you
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more dreams in my head than cities have buildings
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more dreams in my head than cities have buildings
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more heart than a lion, and more guts than a hero
Wake up, breakfast is getting cold and my hands are getting colder
Grab your coat and your school books
Algebra will not be the same
Without the probabilities
Of you and I
At least have the courtesy to make sure it isn't raining
Another pointless story of a really pointless story
And I hope you get this message really loud and clear
(If we could go back and start over I'd do this all the same)
I wish every girl wore camo, and every line stings like ammo
And everybody sings just to throw it in your face
If I had the guts, I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I'm thinking that it's probably real
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I wrote it all for you
Well, this will be the last thing that I ever write about you
If you're gonna read me like a book
Then please tell me what's in the last chapter
I've given too much time and too much thought into your selfish body
I'm losing sleep at night and dreaming in the day
(If we could go back and start over I'd do this all the same)
I wish every girl wore camo, and every line stings like ammo
And everybody sings just to throw it in your face
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I'm thinking that it's probably real
If I had the guts I'd tell you what I truly feel
Every line I wrote, I wrote it all for you
Well, this will be the last thing that I ever write about you
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more dreams in my head than cities have buildings
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more dreams in my head than cities have buildings
Close the door and turn out the lights
I've got more heart than a lion, and more guts than a hero
Wake up, breakfast is getting cold and my hands are getting colder
Grab your coat and your school books
Algebra will not be the same
Without the probabilities
Of you and I
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.