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.
Through all the things I never said and did
Through memories and passageways I'd long since hid
One ordinary life is somehow changed
I can't explain
For all the wounds the longing scars and pain
There's a picture of a broken dream somehow re-framed
One ordinary life somehow exchanged
I'm born again
Don't understand
[Chorus]
It should've been me left standin' out in the pourin' rain
All of my hopes and dreams burned up in a burst of flames
And it should have been a once in a lifetime
I'm still here wondering why
And here you come again
Now looking back through time and space and dreams
The image of your love and grace I've often seen
And knowing now what I could not know then
This was your plan
And still sometimes I bow my head in shame
Desperate in my longing just to speak your name
And finally I'm resolved to simply trust you
And here you come again
I just don't understand
It could've been me left out there wandering aimlessly
Running here running there with no place to be
And I should've been a one-hit wonder
15 minutes of fame
With nothin' gained and nothin' left to lose
My only chance was you
And here you come again
Through memories and passageways I'd long since hid
One ordinary life is somehow changed
I can't explain
For all the wounds the longing scars and pain
There's a picture of a broken dream somehow re-framed
One ordinary life somehow exchanged
I'm born again
Don't understand
[Chorus]
It should've been me left standin' out in the pourin' rain
All of my hopes and dreams burned up in a burst of flames
And it should have been a once in a lifetime
I'm still here wondering why
And here you come again
Now looking back through time and space and dreams
The image of your love and grace I've often seen
And knowing now what I could not know then
This was your plan
And still sometimes I bow my head in shame
Desperate in my longing just to speak your name
And finally I'm resolved to simply trust you
And here you come again
I just don't understand
It could've been me left out there wandering aimlessly
Running here running there with no place to be
And I should've been a one-hit wonder
15 minutes of fame
With nothin' gained and nothin' left to lose
My only chance was you
And here you come again
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
15 Minutes Lyrics as written by Tommy Sims Michele Williams
Lyrics © UNIVERSAL - POLYGRAM OBO 1972 MUSIC
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.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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