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.
When I let you go
I cursed myself, with empty hands.
Strong enough to watch you walk,
But not enough to understand.
With spiteful eyes you burn for my grace.
I was trying to stand outside of this.
You were trying to save face.
You can say that I don't care.
I don't care.
You can hope that we still
Have something left to share,
But just between you, baby, and me
Just between me, baby, and you,
There's nothing there.
I finally found someone I can hold.
You ask me to defend myself
As if I shouldn't be so bold, well,
Get that look off of your face;
I don't have the time,
You don't have the place,
To say that I don't care.
I don't care.
To hope that we still
Have something left to share.
And just between me, baby, and you
Just between you, baby, and me,
There's nothing there.
Baby, what are you gonna do?
I can't salvage any truth for you.
Everybody else already knows.
It hurts you to realize,
So leave well enough
Enough alone.
And you don't need my hands
To help you understand.
You don't need to hear my voice.
(You have no choice.)
So don't be throwing stones;
The closer we get,
The harder they come.
Now even if your feeling alone,
Don't come home,
'Cause when it was up to you
When it was up to you,
You left it up to me.
Oh, you left
Oh, you left
Oh, you left it up to me.
When it was up to you,
You left it up to me.
I cursed myself, with empty hands.
Strong enough to watch you walk,
But not enough to understand.
With spiteful eyes you burn for my grace.
I was trying to stand outside of this.
You were trying to save face.
You can say that I don't care.
I don't care.
You can hope that we still
Have something left to share,
But just between you, baby, and me
Just between me, baby, and you,
There's nothing there.
I finally found someone I can hold.
You ask me to defend myself
As if I shouldn't be so bold, well,
Get that look off of your face;
I don't have the time,
You don't have the place,
To say that I don't care.
I don't care.
To hope that we still
Have something left to share.
And just between me, baby, and you
Just between you, baby, and me,
There's nothing there.
Baby, what are you gonna do?
I can't salvage any truth for you.
Everybody else already knows.
It hurts you to realize,
So leave well enough
Enough alone.
And you don't need my hands
To help you understand.
You don't need to hear my voice.
(You have no choice.)
So don't be throwing stones;
The closer we get,
The harder they come.
Now even if your feeling alone,
Don't come home,
'Cause when it was up to you
When it was up to you,
You left it up to me.
Oh, you left
Oh, you left
Oh, you left it up to me.
When it was up to you,
You left it up to me.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
You Left It up to Me Lyrics as written by Amy Elizabeth Ray
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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