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.
Right now,
This is the calm before the storm,
This is a declaration.
We’re not
Afraid to lay all the rumors to rest.
Hard times but we’re still breathing.
Shake it off;
It doesn’t matter what they say,
Let the vultures whisper.
Bottom line is that in order to make it today,
You gotta mean it more.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
Right now;
This is the moment you waited for,
This is a declaration.
Take back
The hand twisted against your will.
An overdose of their own sickness.
Line em up,
We’re gonna see if you sink or swim.
No treading water, baby.
Bottom line is that in order to cut it today,
You gotta watch your throat.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
With every bruise and every burn,
You know we’re living every word.
And we all march on into the airwaves.
Into the airwaves.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
With every bruise and every burn,
You know we’re living every word.
And we all march on into the airwaves.
Right now.
This is the calm before the storm,
This is a declaration.
We’re not
Afraid to lay all the rumors to rest.
Hard times but we’re still breathing.
Shake it off;
It doesn’t matter what they say,
Let the vultures whisper.
Bottom line is that in order to make it today,
You gotta mean it more.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
Right now;
This is the moment you waited for,
This is a declaration.
Take back
The hand twisted against your will.
An overdose of their own sickness.
Line em up,
We’re gonna see if you sink or swim.
No treading water, baby.
Bottom line is that in order to cut it today,
You gotta watch your throat.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
With every bruise and every burn,
You know we’re living every word.
And we all march on into the airwaves.
Into the airwaves.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
They’re gonna say you can’t,
They’re gonna say you won’t.
With their god damn hands around your throat.
They’ve got a trick up their sleeve,
They’ve got an ace in the hole.
The odds are stacked against you.
This is our blood, sweat and tears
Flooding the airwaves.
It goes out to everyone
Who’s waiting for the bend to break.
With every bruise and every burn,
You know we’re living every word.
And we all march on into the airwaves.
Right now.
Lyrics submitted by marko72
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.