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 done with crawling in the dark
Wandered aimlessly and slowly fell apart
I'm tired of putting on the mask
I thought I'd hidden all the holes and all the cracks
And now it's falling apart
And I don't know where to start
I made excuses to hide from my own heart
Can't pretend anymore
I must go out and explore
I need somebody to help me restore
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
Its time to reach out for the light
No more drifting in the cold and lonely night
I'm standing just ouside the door
I won't let the pain decay me anymore
I'm finally feeling alive
I feel like I have arrived
I found a way I can seize revival
The fear is taken away
And I am seizing the day
I've got to do it for my survival
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
I am thrashing in the sea
Someone out there won't you
Come and find me, rescue me
I am searching for some land
Someone throw a lifeline
Take me, lift me by the hand
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
Wandered aimlessly and slowly fell apart
I'm tired of putting on the mask
I thought I'd hidden all the holes and all the cracks
And now it's falling apart
And I don't know where to start
I made excuses to hide from my own heart
Can't pretend anymore
I must go out and explore
I need somebody to help me restore
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
Its time to reach out for the light
No more drifting in the cold and lonely night
I'm standing just ouside the door
I won't let the pain decay me anymore
I'm finally feeling alive
I feel like I have arrived
I found a way I can seize revival
The fear is taken away
And I am seizing the day
I've got to do it for my survival
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
I am thrashing in the sea
Someone out there won't you
Come and find me, rescue me
I am searching for some land
Someone throw a lifeline
Take me, lift me by the hand
Change me and turn me around
Can you raise me, lift me up from the ground
Cause I am hopeless, distorted, and down
And there are just a lot of things
That I need to make it through
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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.”
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I think I agree with Paramnida re: "way" - especially listening to live versions.
Ahh this song is beautiful. Love the line "it's dull, this dusk, this desk, this dust" such assonance! alliteration! It's perfect!