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's been a lot of talk of love
But that don't amount to nothing
You can invoke the stars above
But that doesn't make it something
And the only way to last
And the only way to live it
Is to hold on when you get love
And let go when you give it, give it
It's a pretty melody
It might help you through the night time
But it doesn't make it easy
To leave the party at the right time
If I'm frightened, if I'm high
It's my weakness, please forgive it
At least I hold on when I get love
And I let go when I give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do?
The world won't listen to this song
And the radio won't play it
But if you like it sing along
Sing 'cause you don't know how to say it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do?
I know it's true, at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
I know it's true (I know that it's true), at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love,
So you can let go when you give it.
Give it, give it, give it, give it, give it, give it.
But that don't amount to nothing
You can invoke the stars above
But that doesn't make it something
And the only way to last
And the only way to live it
Is to hold on when you get love
And let go when you give it, give it
It's a pretty melody
It might help you through the night time
But it doesn't make it easy
To leave the party at the right time
If I'm frightened, if I'm high
It's my weakness, please forgive it
At least I hold on when I get love
And I let go when I give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do?
The world won't listen to this song
And the radio won't play it
But if you like it sing along
Sing 'cause you don't know how to say it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love
So you can let go when you give it, give it, give it
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Let go when you give it)
What do I do when I get lonely?
What do I do?
(Hold on when you get love)
What do I do?
I know it's true, at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
I know it's true (I know that it's true), at least I think I do
Nothing that you say or do will make you love me
Forget the song (I know that it's true), things will go on
I keep seeing you from the dark with you above me
Take the weakest thing in you
And then beat the bastards with it
And always hold on when you get love,
So you can let go when you give it.
Give it, give it, give it, give it, give it, give it.
Lyrics submitted by tCiY, edited by Ninjastar, CountNicholas
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It took me a while to understand what the title/chorus means.
Letting go of love when you give it = you don't expect anything in return. Hold on when you get love = receive the gift and let it make you a bigger person
You have to be complete / confident / self-assured enough (by receiving love) in order to be able to give love without needing anything in return.
Both sound easy, but they're hella hard in real life.
Already love this song! I kind of relate it to what Kurt Vonnegut says in Sirens of Titan: "A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Amy's part in the chorus is "What do I do when I get lonely?" Relayed by Amy herself via twitter!
Thank you for the correction :) editing the lyrics now.
Suggest corrections throughout:
There's been a lot of talk of love But that don't amount to nothing You can evoke the stars above But that doesn't make it something
And the only way to last And the only way to live it Is to hold on when you get love, And let go when you give it... give it.
It's a pretty melody It might help you through the night time But it doesn't make it easy To leave the party at the right time
If I'm frightened, if I'm high It's my weakness. please forgive it At least I hold on when I get love, And I let go when I give it... give it... give it
What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Hold on when you get love, What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Hold on when you get love, What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Let go when you give it. What do I do?
The world wont listen to this song And the radio wont play it But if you like it sing along Sing 'cause you don't know how to say it
Take the weakest thing in you And then beat the bastards with it And always hold on when you get love, So you can let go when you give it. Take the weakest thing in you And then beat the bastards with it And always hold on when you get love, So you can let go when you give it.
What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Hold on when you get love What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Let go when you give it. What do I do? What do I do when I get lonely? What do I do? Hold on when you get love What do I do?
I know it's true, at least I think I do Nothing that you say or do will make you love me Forget the song, life will go on I keep sayin' it from the dark, nothing above me
I know it's true, at least I think I do Nothing that you say or do will make you love me Forget the song, life will go on I keep sayin' it from the dark, nothing above me
Take the weakest thing in you And then beat the bastards with it And always hold on when you get love, So you can let go when you give it. Give it.. give it.. give it.. give it.. give it.. give it.
I completely agree with migmol in the previous post regarding the interpretation of the main theme. If I can take it to a spiritual level: Being able to receive unconditional love from God can make you permanently secure/confident/complete/mature enough to give Love without expecting return. In keeping the spiritual vein, God's strength is perfected in our weakness if we rely on him, so God actually does take the weakest thing in us and then use it to beat the bastards (Death, Hate, Hopelessness, Satan, etc). This allows us to then hold on to love and then give it away fully. The Old Book even says God is Love...