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've been stemmin' for change and singing in these streets now
Long as I care to recall
The dank little loung room in the Roosevelt hotel
My idea of a holiday
Every once in a while
A little old light shines through my tunnel
So I follow it like a moth flies to the flame.
And just when I think I got my world by the balls
I find I'm dancin' in the light again
Dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
Looking back on aspirations and dreams
My father he had in mind for me
Moon lights the tracks and broken glass as I recall
Those plans I left so far behind
And I know it's better off he never saw me this way
He always told me donÃ?t let the devil have his due
And I know my father would turn over in his grave
To see me hog tied to the chain
Or dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
And its only getting harder in this free world
With all this strugglin g and strain
People find my sweet peace of mind
In the pouring rain
As the storm moves in ain't no friends to be found
So I sit Ã?neath this dream and bridge for a while
And it seems that my mind is in pieces on the ground
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
Mostly find my Jesus
In the pouring rain
I'm living in the free world
Long as I care to recall
The dank little loung room in the Roosevelt hotel
My idea of a holiday
Every once in a while
A little old light shines through my tunnel
So I follow it like a moth flies to the flame.
And just when I think I got my world by the balls
I find I'm dancin' in the light again
Dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
Looking back on aspirations and dreams
My father he had in mind for me
Moon lights the tracks and broken glass as I recall
Those plans I left so far behind
And I know it's better off he never saw me this way
He always told me donÃ?t let the devil have his due
And I know my father would turn over in his grave
To see me hog tied to the chain
Or dancing in the light
Of a speeding freight train
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
People find my company
To be strange as hell
And its only getting harder in this free world
With all this strugglin g and strain
People find my sweet peace of mind
In the pouring rain
As the storm moves in ain't no friends to be found
So I sit Ã?neath this dream and bridge for a while
And it seems that my mind is in pieces on the ground
Singing it's hard
Living in the free world
Getting saved by the bell
Mostly find my Jesus
In the pouring rain
I'm living in the free world
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Free World Lyrics as written by Sexton
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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