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.
Ain’t it funny how, in a minute, your whole life’s looking fine
And a short few words later it all just comes untied?
You can’t believe you’re looking at what was always someone else
Now it’s staring right back at you, yesterday you couldn’t tell
So shock and disillusioned, helpless and confused
Not knowing how and what to say, not accepting that it’s true.
You can’t help but see the worst to come a thousand different ways
The same time trying to hold a strong and optimistic gaze.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind.
And the angry starts to surface, looking up, asking why
Then you realize he probably wants the best, as same as I
Days just go by quickly, nights just never end
As time gets so more precious, every sunrise and old friend
Trying to be a post to lean on, a part you learn is hard to play
Asking God to let you take her place or just take it all away.
Hope you’ll wake up in the morning, was all just been a dream
You never take for granted every second that you breathe.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind.
And the seconds turn to minutes
And minutes wouldn’t last
And the hours, days and weeks and months
Seem endless and too fast
And the blessings poured from Heaven
Like the rain on that first spring
Since that moment I first saw you
You might not always be with me.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind, in my mind.
Ain’t it funny how, in a minute, your whole life’s looking fine
And a short few words later it all just comes untied?
And a short few words later it all just comes untied?
You can’t believe you’re looking at what was always someone else
Now it’s staring right back at you, yesterday you couldn’t tell
So shock and disillusioned, helpless and confused
Not knowing how and what to say, not accepting that it’s true.
You can’t help but see the worst to come a thousand different ways
The same time trying to hold a strong and optimistic gaze.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind.
And the angry starts to surface, looking up, asking why
Then you realize he probably wants the best, as same as I
Days just go by quickly, nights just never end
As time gets so more precious, every sunrise and old friend
Trying to be a post to lean on, a part you learn is hard to play
Asking God to let you take her place or just take it all away.
Hope you’ll wake up in the morning, was all just been a dream
You never take for granted every second that you breathe.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind.
And the seconds turn to minutes
And minutes wouldn’t last
And the hours, days and weeks and months
Seem endless and too fast
And the blessings poured from Heaven
Like the rain on that first spring
Since that moment I first saw you
You might not always be with me.
When I saw you leaving, when I saw you leaving
When I saw you leaving in my mind, in my mind.
Ain’t it funny how, in a minute, your whole life’s looking fine
And a short few words later it all just comes untied?
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.