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.
I hand you my ball and chain
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I wish I could please you tonight
But my medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Where's the justice and where's the sense?
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, it's too long to myself
It scares you when you don't know
Whichever way the wind might blow
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I wish I could please you tonight
But my medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Where's the justice and where's the sense?
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, it's too long to myself
It scares you when you don't know
Whichever way the wind might blow
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Walking on a Wire Lyrics as written by Richard John Thompson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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