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.
Girl, I want to be good to you
I never want to do you no harm
I'm caught up in those fascination
Coping with your alarms
Ignore life if you want to, babe
Do what you've got to do
I need some time in the countryside
I want to feel so brand new
You make me run away
You make me run away
You make me run away, angel
You make me run away
Runaway
I see your name on the walls again
I painted you on my toes
Celebrate to resuscitate
We'll drink to ourselves
You'd collect lovers like gemstones
You talk of them as your friends
Dangle me from your wristchain
Another one lost to the wills of change
You make me run away
You make me run away
You make me run away, baby
You make me run away
Runaway
Still, I try to be good to you
You'll always be my friend
I've spent some time to define my mind
I want to be someone new
Why don't we run away?
Why don't we run away
Yeah, we can run away, angel
Yeah, we could run away
Why don't we run away?
You make me run away, baby
I want to run away
I want to run away
I never want to do you no harm
I'm caught up in those fascination
Coping with your alarms
Ignore life if you want to, babe
Do what you've got to do
I need some time in the countryside
I want to feel so brand new
You make me run away
You make me run away
You make me run away, angel
You make me run away
Runaway
I see your name on the walls again
I painted you on my toes
Celebrate to resuscitate
We'll drink to ourselves
You'd collect lovers like gemstones
You talk of them as your friends
Dangle me from your wristchain
Another one lost to the wills of change
You make me run away
You make me run away
You make me run away, baby
You make me run away
Runaway
Still, I try to be good to you
You'll always be my friend
I've spent some time to define my mind
I want to be someone new
Why don't we run away?
Why don't we run away
Yeah, we can run away, angel
Yeah, we could run away
Why don't we run away?
You make me run away, baby
I want to run away
I want to run away
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
I think this song is about a guy who's in love with a girl who doesn't want a real relationship. She prefers having various lovers. The guy knows that she doesn't want a relationship and therefore is going to break his heart, and he knows that the right thing to do would be to run away and forget her before he falls even more in love with her, but he's already too much in love with her and is therefore not able to just forget her. Even though she hurts him emotionally, he tries to be good to her because he's in love with her and maybe even hopes that she'll fall in love with him.
The song shows how he falls more and more in love with her and how he's bound to her. At the beginning, he wants to run away alone and forget her. At the end he kind of wants the opposite: He wants to run away with her, therefore he wants and kind of believes in a relationship with her and he wants her to leave all her other lovers behind.