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.
Who are you to decide what the meaning of perfection is
And what makes you so high and mighty?
You're just like a weed slowly getting bigger but killing a beautiful rose
At the same time by taking all it's light and smothering it
I hope that feeling of being better then anyone else was worth it to you because
She's gone and can't ever come back
It's too late nothing can bring her back
It's worthless people like you that destroy something truly beautiful
You've caused innocence to die
Someone who didn't fit in with your bullshit ideals and finally came
To the point where she took her own fucking life
I hope you think about it every second of every day and you see her face when
You try to fall asleep at night
I hope it fucking haunts you
Perfection is what each individual makes it
Be in charge of your own life not everyone else's
Just yours
And what makes you so high and mighty?
You're just like a weed slowly getting bigger but killing a beautiful rose
At the same time by taking all it's light and smothering it
I hope that feeling of being better then anyone else was worth it to you because
She's gone and can't ever come back
It's too late nothing can bring her back
It's worthless people like you that destroy something truly beautiful
You've caused innocence to die
Someone who didn't fit in with your bullshit ideals and finally came
To the point where she took her own fucking life
I hope you think about it every second of every day and you see her face when
You try to fall asleep at night
I hope it fucking haunts you
Perfection is what each individual makes it
Be in charge of your own life not everyone else's
Just yours
Lyrics submitted by Ballzac, edited by THEAMAZINCRAZN
Cast from Perfection Lyrics as written by Andrew Carlston Alex Koehler
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.”
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.
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It is about a guy that mentally abused a girl and because of that she killed herself, he didn't kill her necessarily but he was a link in the chain
badass nuff said
Sounds like a guy that killed a girl and the writer wants him to feel shame for what he's done.
This song reminds me of all the people i have mentally and emotionally broken down.Oh...its sickeningly pleasing.