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.
Have you seen my hands?
Just look at 'em shake
And the song just keeps on repeating
Drop the needle again
And I danced with your ghost
Oh, but that ain't the way
I can't move on and I can't stay the same
And all my friends say:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at her feet"
But have you seen my heart?
Have you seen how it bleeds?
And the nights are so long baby
Out here in the deep
The tick-ticking of hours, lonely
I hear the alarm
I used to hear when she would sleep in my arms
But "better sense" says:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at her feet"
And all my friends say:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at my feet"
Where you used to be
Where you used to be
Where you used to be
Here with me
Just look at 'em shake
And the song just keeps on repeating
Drop the needle again
And I danced with your ghost
Oh, but that ain't the way
I can't move on and I can't stay the same
And all my friends say:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at her feet"
But have you seen my heart?
Have you seen how it bleeds?
And the nights are so long baby
Out here in the deep
The tick-ticking of hours, lonely
I hear the alarm
I used to hear when she would sleep in my arms
But "better sense" says:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at her feet"
And all my friends say:
"Hey, turn the record over
Hey, I'll see you on the flip-side
There you go, turn the key and engine over
Let her go, let somebody else lay at my feet"
Where you used to be
Where you used to be
Where you used to be
Here with me
Lyrics submitted by llscience
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I LOVE this song and band. This is an amazing single that can really boost Gaslight into mainstream popularity. The lyrics are deep and it has an amazing upbeat rock n'roll energy to it...I dub it the Gaslight sound! This song speaks to me on so many levels especially with the past relationships and breakups that I've been through and learning to let go of ex's or girls that messed with my heart/emotions.