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.
There was a time when we sailed on together
Once had a dream that we shared on the way
There was a place where we used to seek shelter
I never knew the pain of the price I would pay
You led me on with a cloak and a dagger
And I didn't know you had made other plans
You had me believe we were meant for forever
I really thought my heart would be safe in your hands
Lorelei
My ship has passed you by
And though you promised me to show the way
You led me astray
You were my lorelei
What kind of fool was I
Cause I believed in every word you said
And now I wonder why
Lorelei
There was a time when we held one another
Baring our souls in the light of the flame
Those were the days now I've lost my illusions
Sometimes I wake in the night and I call out your name
Lorelei
My ship has passed you by
And though you promised me to show the way
You led me astray
You were my lorelei
What kind of fool was I
Cause I believed in every word you said
And now I wonder why
Lorelei
Now there's a light that shines on the river
Blinding my eyes from so far away
Shot through the heart but now I know better
As hard as it is to resist the song that you play
Lorelei
Once had a dream that we shared on the way
There was a place where we used to seek shelter
I never knew the pain of the price I would pay
You led me on with a cloak and a dagger
And I didn't know you had made other plans
You had me believe we were meant for forever
I really thought my heart would be safe in your hands
Lorelei
My ship has passed you by
And though you promised me to show the way
You led me astray
You were my lorelei
What kind of fool was I
Cause I believed in every word you said
And now I wonder why
Lorelei
There was a time when we held one another
Baring our souls in the light of the flame
Those were the days now I've lost my illusions
Sometimes I wake in the night and I call out your name
Lorelei
My ship has passed you by
And though you promised me to show the way
You led me astray
You were my lorelei
What kind of fool was I
Cause I believed in every word you said
And now I wonder why
Lorelei
Now there's a light that shines on the river
Blinding my eyes from so far away
Shot through the heart but now I know better
As hard as it is to resist the song that you play
Lorelei
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Lorelei Lyrics as written by Klaus Meine Eric M Bazilian
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Tunecore
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Surprised no one has said anything yet. This is a great song. Its meaning is somewhat obvious but the actual "Lorelei" is a German legend (the scorpions are a German Band) about a siren in a river in Germany who attracted sailors with her beauty and songs, then caused them to crash into the cliffs. So it sounds like this guy was played by a girl who he trusted and this song is an analogy to that.
@Knightx4 I came here to see if anyone's written anything about that "Lorelei", cause I thought it couldn't be just the name of some random girl, so thanks! Kinda funny though, cause this story is obviously stolen from the Greek Odyssey, where sirens also sang to sailors and caused them to crash into the cliffs..