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.
The news is out, it's hot on the street
It's down to the wire, it's back to the beat
As the sun goes West there's change in the wind
Hear the rhythm of hearts as the night rushes in
Feel the temperature rise to a fever pitch
And the city will hold back its power
Then the rhythm explodes as the hour strikes
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
The night draws near, the street lights reveal
A whole world beyond this concrete and steel
Let me feel your touch in the midnight wind
In the traffic of hearts , oh as the night rushes in
Feel the temperature rise to a fever pitch
And the city will hold back its power
Then the rhythm explodes as the hour strikes
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
Come on baby turn out the lights
Let me move you to the rhythm tonight
Feel it building to my every beat
Keep it comin' till I'm back on the street and it's
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
Come on and feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love is alive
I feel the rhythm, I can feel the rhythm of the city
Oh, my love is alive
It's down to the wire, it's back to the beat
As the sun goes West there's change in the wind
Hear the rhythm of hearts as the night rushes in
Feel the temperature rise to a fever pitch
And the city will hold back its power
Then the rhythm explodes as the hour strikes
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
The night draws near, the street lights reveal
A whole world beyond this concrete and steel
Let me feel your touch in the midnight wind
In the traffic of hearts , oh as the night rushes in
Feel the temperature rise to a fever pitch
And the city will hold back its power
Then the rhythm explodes as the hour strikes
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
Come on baby turn out the lights
Let me move you to the rhythm tonight
Feel it building to my every beat
Keep it comin' till I'm back on the street and it's
Midnight, my love is alive
Can't you feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love will survive
Can't you feel the rhythm
I can feel the rhythm of the city
Come on and feel the heat
Of emotions taking over
Midnight, my love is alive
I feel the rhythm, I can feel the rhythm of the city
Oh, my love is alive
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Rhythm of the City Lyrics as written by Jim Peterik Frank Sullivan
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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