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.
In the morning light let my roots take flight
Watch me from above like a vicious dove
They don't see me come, who can blame them?
They never seem to catch my eye but I never wondered why
I won't fall asleep
I won't fall asleep
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
From your slanted view see the morning dew
Sink into the soil, watch the water boil
They won't see me run, who can blame them?
They never look to see me fly, so I never have to lie
I won't fall asleep
I won't fall asleep
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Nobody else, nobody else
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Watch me from above like a vicious dove
They don't see me come, who can blame them?
They never seem to catch my eye but I never wondered why
I won't fall asleep
I won't fall asleep
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
From your slanted view see the morning dew
Sink into the soil, watch the water boil
They won't see me run, who can blame them?
They never look to see me fly, so I never have to lie
I won't fall asleep
I won't fall asleep
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Nobody else, nobody else
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else can take me higher
Nobody else
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Hey yeah, don't let 'em know we're coming
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
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My interpretation of this song seems to revolve around the idea of evolving one's own identity and breaking free from the socially accepted norm. People always get wrapped up in their own worlds and perceptions; sometimes we forget about the other people around us and their personal development. The first verse, "let my roots take flight, Watch me from above like a vicious dove" kind of eludes to the idea that someone is starting to make a name for themselves and those higher up on the social scale who can certainly be "vicious" sometimes, but seem innocent like "doves" are watching this underdog flourish (and anyone who has been to high school, I'm sure can relate). The next couple lines just reiterate this concept. The well endowed, popular, self-involved crowd can often miss out on the spectacular people around them who are beginning to shine. But the person on the rise doesn't care about what others seem to think. They can't "blame" the others for not seeing, as they've never tried to look before. The second verse with the lines, "From your slanted view see the morning dew, Sink into the soil, watch the water boil", I understand it as a request to open one's eyes in order to see the simpler things in life. Get out of your twisted, "slanted" view on the world, and just look at the beauty within the simpler things for once. The rest of the verse relates back to how if someone isn't truly looking around them, they miss out on other people, opportunities, and life in general. "Nobody else can take [us] higher" other than ourselves. We, as individuals, have the ability to bring ourselves up to the highest potential. We don't need others' approval to get ahead, to become what we truly are destined to be. We all tiptoe around people, step on eggshells and dim ourselves in order to fit in sometimes. But it's time we step up and take the social pedestals by storm and make our way to the top. One step or tiptoe at a time. Don't "fall asleep" and let others step all over you and your success; instead "tiptoe higher" without "letting 'em know we're coming". You don't need to get a big, hot, egotistical head to succeed. If you take your time, "simmer down" and "keep your head down low", you'll surprise everyone around you. (In saying that, I just disagree with the "keep your head down low" lyric - I think you should keep your head held high! In this context though, it's referring to the sneaking manner needed for tiptoeing and going unseen). These are all just my own opinions. Would be awesome to get someone else's thoughts on this addictive tune.
Thanks for your words. It really got me thinking.<br /> Here's another take:<br /> "In the morning light, let my roots take flight" --more on this later<br /> "watch me from above, like a vicious dove"<br /> First off, it sounds like he is WILLING himself into the sky. I want to RUN based on what MY roots (what's deeply important to me). There's irony throughout the song in that we don't take doves to be vicious, we don't expect people who keep their heads down low (aren't proud and boisterous) to be tearing it up and successful.
Thanks for your words. It really got me thinking. Lots of strands of meaning. I'd like to add another take:"In the morning light, let my roots take flight / watch me from above, like a vicious dove."<br /> First off, it sounds like he is WILLING himself into the sky. I will FLY based on MY roots (what's deeply important to me). The word "let" is key because he is willing himself as opposed to being "willed" by others' views or external incentives, fads, popularity, etc.<br /> <br /> "Watch me from above" may mean people will see you and they'll notice something different even contradictory. You are vicious/successful, etc. but you're at peace.<br /> <br /> "They don't see me come--who can blame them?" Those who are extrinsically motivated (from those who believe people are inherently selfish to those who are driven by fads and popularity) don't think such things are possible so they can't fathom someone acting on my motives achieving peace and tearing it up (being successful) simultaneously.<br /> <br /> "They never seem to catch my eye, but I never wondered why"--what such people accomplish never seemed important to me (driven for money, popularity, other incentives) because I'm not extrinsically driven.<br /> <br /> "I won't fall asleep" and "tiptoe higher" go hand in hand to me. I'm not going to stop CLIMBING HIGHER based on what's deeply important to me. I'm going to keep at what really means the most to me and I'm going to take care to do it in a way that's not brazen or pretentious: "Simmer down, keep your head down low." If we look up and around us (let others catch our eye in a bad sense), we might start having a "slanted view like they do." The words "I won't" in "I won't fall asleep" are also almost like an internal commitment (and importantly part of the chorus). It's like we have to keep reminding ourselves to not get lax and to keep climbing. Keeping your head down low could mean being sneaky, it could also mean being humble, which could would have lot s of appropriate meanings: 1) keeps us from caring about what others are usually extrinsically motivated by, 2) from caring about what others think of us, 3) from getting distracted or 4) being brazen about what we are doing. Bottom line: in the midst of our success, we can't let it get to our heads; rather, we need to keep climbing inconspicuously--keep advancing what's important without caring about getting accolades for it.<br /> <br /> "Nobody else can take me higher": My perception of others' feelings towards me ain't going to lift me up. I've got to look deep inside and humbly, continually be committed to advancing what matters most. <br /> ----<br /> ...Just an added strand.
Amazing interpretation! I think it's really interesting how both the connotations of the title 'Tiptoe' and the melody of that word perfectly fit the optimistic and uplifting mood or feeling created by the choice of instruments, chords and melody, and further underlined by your analysis of the lyrics. I thought of 'to lurk' as a counter-example, having roughly the same meaning, but incredibly differing connotations and, in contrast, a kind of sinister melody. Wouldn't you agree that when saying 'tiptoe' out loud in a normal tone, compared to saying 'lurk' out loud, the latter would not fit this song at all?
I thought this was about a spy tip toe-ing around and stuff but the enemy base can't see him since they can't catch his eye o_o
@brandonody Exactly my thoughts!!!!
I think that this song has a pretty straight-forward meaning and message. To me, these lyrics represented something or someone coming out of their shell, or standing up to something they fear.
They don't see me come, who can blame them? They never seem to catch my eye but I never wondered why
this part of the song shows how the others treat the person. As a piece of trash that doesn't deserve their time.
Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
This part shows someone who is slowly (tiptoeing) up to the top (as in, standing up for themselves and getting more confidence about themselves)
These are only MY interpretations
Okay, so I saw a lot of long-winded and kinda odd explanations and I just wanted to put in my two cents.
So, the first verse:
In the morning light let my roots take flight Watch me from above like a vicious dove They don't see me come, who can blame them? They never seem to catch my eye but I never wondered why
This suggests to me that the narrator is an underdog in this situation. "They don't see me come, who can blame them?" is a reference to the fact that no one cares about him and what he has to contribute to the world.
The chorus:
Hey yeah, don’t let 'em know we’re coming Hey yeah, tiptoe higher Take some time to simmer down, keep your head down low Hey yeah, tiptoe higher
This sounds like there's now a second underdog in the mix. Whoever the narrator is talking to, they have the same issues as the narrator. And the narrator is telling him, "Don't let 'em know we're coming," as in, We're the underdogs already so why let them know that we're going to come up on them and be greater than them? The line "Tiptoe higher" goes back to the line "Don't let 'em know we're coming" but it also would mean, Be as good as you want, show off, be better and do well.
Then the next verse:
From your slanted view see the morning dew Sink into the soil, watch the water boil They won’t see me run, who can blame them? They never look to see me fly, so I never have to lie
This is going back to the underdog thing. I don't know exactly what the first two lines mean, but the second one is essentially: They don't pay attention and see me getting better, but I never had to tell them about my plans to be better than them one day.
Then the rest of the song either repeats this or goes back to these meaning.
i love this freaking song
@chelseajay why? what about is do you love? what do the lyrics say to you?
To me, this is about being underestimated.
"Tiptoe higher", I think, is saying take your steps even lighter, because then they won't hear you coming. It's him saying, fine, underestimate me all you want, because I'll come up from behind and I'll rise to the top.
Pretty inspiring to me. I listen to it to jazz me up before I take a big test.
"Vicious Dove" -oxymoron Dove is sign of peace
I think it's meant to be interpreted along the same lines as "wolf in sheep's clothing"
Did anyone notice the sampling of the tone from Legend of Zelda, when you're down to half a heart?! Link certainly was a vicious dove... ;)
I think it says Higher!! Not Hey Yeah!
@worstmanz I agree
This song is about Ninjas.
They come in the morning, no one sees them come, they tiptoe. It all fits!
It all depends on weather it should be heard as "Hey yeah, they don't let them know we're coming" or "HIYA!!!! Don't let them know we're coming," however.