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.
It feels like, it feels like
When you're in a dream state
Like when you wanna run but you can't
When you wanna scream but you can't
When you wanna love
But there's nobody in front of you yet
And then you're alone and in a moment of clarity
You know what it is you're missin'
I, I, I, I spin around and let my arms dangle
My feet tangle, I bump my head and hit the ground
I dial your number but my finger's shakin'
My cake's bakin', I'm sick of ricochetin' around
What if I blurt out 'I love you'?
Baby, I got to be cool
I wanna jump in a pool of you
And go splash, splash, splashin' around
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
I, I, I, I try and tell ya but my tongue swells up
My tears well up, I think I'm allergic to ya, babe
Somebody help me, I'm having trouble breathin'
This food I'm eatin' is about to come up the other way
What if I blurt out I love you?
Baby, I got to be cool
I wanna tell you how much you mean to me
Baby, I got to tell you, baby, I got to tell you
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
This feelin', this feelin's
Like a dagger in my stomach
Gotta keep a secret
Can I tell it baby?
Let's get under the covers
Let's get under the covers
Ooh, no, no, no, there ain't no other
No, there ain't no other
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
When you're in a dream state
Like when you wanna run but you can't
When you wanna scream but you can't
When you wanna love
But there's nobody in front of you yet
And then you're alone and in a moment of clarity
You know what it is you're missin'
I, I, I, I spin around and let my arms dangle
My feet tangle, I bump my head and hit the ground
I dial your number but my finger's shakin'
My cake's bakin', I'm sick of ricochetin' around
What if I blurt out 'I love you'?
Baby, I got to be cool
I wanna jump in a pool of you
And go splash, splash, splashin' around
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
I, I, I, I try and tell ya but my tongue swells up
My tears well up, I think I'm allergic to ya, babe
Somebody help me, I'm having trouble breathin'
This food I'm eatin' is about to come up the other way
What if I blurt out I love you?
Baby, I got to be cool
I wanna tell you how much you mean to me
Baby, I got to tell you, baby, I got to tell you
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
This feelin', this feelin's
Like a dagger in my stomach
Gotta keep a secret
Can I tell it baby?
Let's get under the covers
Let's get under the covers
Ooh, no, no, no, there ain't no other
No, there ain't no other
I want the world to know
It doesn't matter if you don't
I want the world to know
No, it don't matter if you don't
Lyrics submitted by Iantuition
I Want The World To Know Lyrics as written by Colin Fitzroy Wolfe Anjulie Persaud
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Well, this song is amazing, so I wish I wasn't the first person to write about it. From what I understand, this song is about being hopelessly in love with somebody, but not being able to tell them. You're always nervous around them, you can't get the words out right. From what I understand, it's a lot more a crush than a relationship, because she thinks it would be lovely if he could love her. I think it's like she is in love with the idea of this wonderful guy, but she's afraid to make a move. But she's so in love that she is telling just about everybody but him.