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.
call out what we’ve become
the news has turned to numb
locked in nearsight
on the latest device
let the yet-to-be pick up the tab
say we can’t escape
though there’s plenty of space
barring holding on to what we used to have
in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it on by, let me go
and get it in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it all die, let me go
we lay it out on the map
debate it all in caps
lock our eyes on
distant horizons
where we will shift to some informed accord
in another town
settle up, settle down
we insist on the option or we’re out the door
so get it in your head…
gone, it’s gone
gave in again, now let me go
gone, it’s gone
gave in again, now let me go
or maybe this is a test
maybe this is a course correction
oh I said it, no no don’t let it get out of control
in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it on by, let me go
and get it in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it all die, let me go
this hope, it begins to know
we could return again, don’t let me go
I get it in my heart, I know we could restart
we can begin again, don’t let me go
gone, it’s gone
return again, don’t let me go
gone, it’s gone
begin again, don’t let me go
the news has turned to numb
locked in nearsight
on the latest device
let the yet-to-be pick up the tab
say we can’t escape
though there’s plenty of space
barring holding on to what we used to have
in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it on by, let me go
and get it in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it all die, let me go
we lay it out on the map
debate it all in caps
lock our eyes on
distant horizons
where we will shift to some informed accord
in another town
settle up, settle down
we insist on the option or we’re out the door
so get it in your head…
gone, it’s gone
gave in again, now let me go
gone, it’s gone
gave in again, now let me go
or maybe this is a test
maybe this is a course correction
oh I said it, no no don’t let it get out of control
in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it on by, let me go
and get it in your head, where we’re headed
you gotta let it all die, let me go
this hope, it begins to know
we could return again, don’t let me go
I get it in my heart, I know we could restart
we can begin again, don’t let me go
gone, it’s gone
return again, don’t let me go
gone, it’s gone
begin again, don’t let me go
Lyrics submitted by Katiedid717, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
At the concerts on 10/2/13 and 10/3/13, Vienna stated that she had the rhythm and melody for this song long before she wrote the lyrics and that for the longest time it was just sung with "nonsense words and syllables." She said that even now, the words don't really matter.