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.
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
This is such an awesome song that I think I'd add a thematic interpretation of implied themes in the song.
0-10 (seconds): A music box playing a dreamy tune. 0.10: cue aggressive guitars and vocal "oomph". One gets the impression the narrator is jolted from a dream. 1:23: "Out of cheeks to turn the other way" is a prevision of the Christian doctrine of non-violence. 1:30: "Ask yourself just how lucky do you feel" reminds me strongly of the scene from classic movie "Dirty Harry" in which the protagonist cop towers over a fallen and unarmed villain like a hunter gloating over wounding an animal. In an ethically questionable act, Harry shoots the villain after baiting the villain into gambling that Harry's gun is out of bullets. The scene contains the famous film phrase "You feeling lucky? Well do ya', punk?" just before shooting the villain. Alternately, I think that the narrator is referring to himself with the term "You" in this song. The narrator is indecisive about whether or not he is in love or simply the victim. A central question in the verbal component is that he needs to know what he's getting out of the relationship before he can decide to stay or go. 1:58: "Me indited and you raising alarm" is a reference to the unethical propensity for blaming the victim of abuse. Alternately, it can refer to the desire displace blame from oneself using persuasive (lawyer-ish) arguments. 2:05: bell rings. Lyrics describe a fight. Obvious reference to the sport of boxing. Note that boxing is a sport with rules whereas in the more violent act of street fighting anything is permissible. 2:30: note the dream sequence replays as the narrator discusses what he's getting form the relationship. This make it clear that the narrator finds his situation simultaneously bitter/sweet. Lyrical indications are that this is an S