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 is certain I have ignored
I have spent most of my life
Trying to complicate everything that I believe
So that while paralyzed
In thought I will always have an alibi
Just another excuse (just another excuse)
To hesitate (to hesitate)
Delaying true progress with passivity
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
What is certain I have ignored
And what I know is simple
If I am honest with myself
My soul is broken yet easily fixed
And what I know is simple
I must die if I truly want to live
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The greatness of us have become the least
I must be reborn to revive a heart that hardly beats
Keeping alive this hollow frame
I must be reborn
I must be reborn
I have spent most of my life
Trying to complicate everything that I believe
So that while paralyzed
In thought I will always have an alibi
Just another excuse (just another excuse)
To hesitate (to hesitate)
Delaying true progress with passivity
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
What is certain I have ignored
And what I know is simple
If I am honest with myself
My soul is broken yet easily fixed
And what I know is simple
I must die if I truly want to live
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The answers that I've found
Are all the same
They uncover questions
That still remain
The greatness of us have become the least
I must be reborn to revive a heart that hardly beats
Keeping alive this hollow frame
I must be reborn
I must be reborn
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.