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.
All roads they lead to shame
All drowning in the blame
All reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
All hide beneath a skin
A hope so paper thin
I'm at the door again
And the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck it 'til it's gone dry
For all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Redemption purify
Will nothing satisfy
The scars just multiply
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Twisting in apocalypse
Death upon the fingertips
Frigid metal touches lips
And the shine of the midnight revolver
'Cause you lied
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
Caressing death again
Becomes the heroin
Forbidden medicine
Puts a shine on the midnight revolver
Eternal borderline
All the faces intertwine
Oh god now I see mine
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck suck till it's dry
For all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Down in misery
Down in misery
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
Oh yeah
All roads they lead to shame
All drowning in the blame
Reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
All hide beneath a skin
A hope so paper thin
I'm at the door again
And the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck, suck 'til it's dry
Do all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
'Cause you lied
Yes you lied
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
All drowning in the blame
All reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
All hide beneath a skin
A hope so paper thin
I'm at the door again
And the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck it 'til it's gone dry
For all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Redemption purify
Will nothing satisfy
The scars just multiply
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Twisting in apocalypse
Death upon the fingertips
Frigid metal touches lips
And the shine of the midnight revolver
'Cause you lied
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
Caressing death again
Becomes the heroin
Forbidden medicine
Puts a shine on the midnight revolver
Eternal borderline
All the faces intertwine
Oh god now I see mine
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck suck till it's dry
For all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
Down in misery
Down in misery
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
Oh yeah
All roads they lead to shame
All drowning in the blame
Reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
All hide beneath a skin
A hope so paper thin
I'm at the door again
And the shine of the midnight revolver
Even the promise of danger has gone dull
Staring down the barrel of a 45
Suck on the barrel suck on the barrel
Suck, suck 'til it's dry
Do all reflections look the same
In the shine of the midnight revolver
'Cause you lied
Yes you lied
Just a bullet away
Just a bullet away from leavin' you
Just a bullet away
Stop the voices in my head
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Great version of a great song,
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