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.
What could make you think it'd be okay
For you to come around and carve a name?
What could make you think it'd be alright
Showing up and packing such a knife?
Oh, what'd you really think was gonna happen to me
In your surgery?
Everything in and out of style
But cutting stuff has been around a while
Mutilate, try it on a wrist
'Cause everyone's a sadomasochist
Laugh it up as you cut, there's no pain
You carved your name into my heart again
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
Seems so strange
That's a lot of letters on a heart
Mama didn't name her very smart
At least she got a pretty little script
Mama put the pressure on her penmanship
It really is all insane
You carved your name into my heart again
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
You carved your name into my heart again
It feels the same as good old yesterday
And I don't want anybody to hold me while I'm suffering (suffering)
And I don't want anybody to show me while I'm fumbling
And I don't want anybody to sew me or pretend to make the mend
You carved your name
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
You carved your name into my heart again
It feels the same, it feels the same
It feels the same as yesterday
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
For you to come around and carve a name?
What could make you think it'd be alright
Showing up and packing such a knife?
Oh, what'd you really think was gonna happen to me
In your surgery?
Everything in and out of style
But cutting stuff has been around a while
Mutilate, try it on a wrist
'Cause everyone's a sadomasochist
Laugh it up as you cut, there's no pain
You carved your name into my heart again
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
Seems so strange
That's a lot of letters on a heart
Mama didn't name her very smart
At least she got a pretty little script
Mama put the pressure on her penmanship
It really is all insane
You carved your name into my heart again
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
You carved your name into my heart again
It feels the same as good old yesterday
And I don't want anybody to hold me while I'm suffering (suffering)
And I don't want anybody to show me while I'm fumbling
And I don't want anybody to sew me or pretend to make the mend
You carved your name
To carve your name into my heart seems strange
You carved your name into my heart again
It feels the same, it feels the same
It feels the same as yesterday
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na
Na-na-na, na-na-na-na
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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.
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So I understand this song as in your love partner is hurting you and being possessive over you and saying it's for your own good. Since surgery is a good cause usually to help a patient but why a knife so big? So the person reminds them everyday that they belong to them because u usually carve your name on your property. Tho this is stressing him out and feels the same as yesterday and the day before and so on. He suggest cutting wrists, they laugh as they cut but the main character feels no pain because they probably are numb to it and he wants no help. He doesn't want anybody to see him suffer, fumble and help him sew the wounds