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.
Maybe your daddy never held you like he should
Maybe your mama just held on the best she could
Every soul has a secret, give it away or keep it
But yesterday's gone so tell me why
You carry the weight, the weight of the world
It's breakin' you down on your back like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off your shoulder, I know you've been used
But you gotta lose the weight of the world
Maybe I haven't always been there just for you
Maybe I try but then, I got my own life too
Every heart has a hunger
I'm not getting any younger
I got all the crosses I can bear
Don't gimme the weight, the weight of the world
It's breakin' me down on my back like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off of my shoulder, you know I've been used
And I gotta lose the weight of the world
It all comes down to who you crucify
You either kiss the future or the past goodbye
We could fly so high
But we carry the world, the weight of the world
It's breakin' us down on our backs like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off of our shoulders, we've all been used
And we gotta lose the weight of the world
It's takin' us down and the night's growin' colder
Just blame it on fate, that was yesterday girl
And we're just growin' older, we've all been used
Now it's time to lose the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
Maybe your mama just held on the best she could
Every soul has a secret, give it away or keep it
But yesterday's gone so tell me why
You carry the weight, the weight of the world
It's breakin' you down on your back like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off your shoulder, I know you've been used
But you gotta lose the weight of the world
Maybe I haven't always been there just for you
Maybe I try but then, I got my own life too
Every heart has a hunger
I'm not getting any younger
I got all the crosses I can bear
Don't gimme the weight, the weight of the world
It's breakin' me down on my back like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off of my shoulder, you know I've been used
And I gotta lose the weight of the world
It all comes down to who you crucify
You either kiss the future or the past goodbye
We could fly so high
But we carry the world, the weight of the world
It's breakin' us down on our backs like a boulder
Before it's too late, get rid of it girl
Get it off of our shoulders, we've all been used
And we gotta lose the weight of the world
It's takin' us down and the night's growin' colder
Just blame it on fate, that was yesterday girl
And we're just growin' older, we've all been used
Now it's time to lose the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Weight of the World Lyrics as written by Luis Federico Velez Brian Patrick O'doherty
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, DYAD Music Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.