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.
Be true or be gone
You’re only fooling yourself
Open hand or not
You are holding out
But there is no light that you can’t live in
Tear it apart
Your old confession made in the dark
Now every hour, change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is yours
Cover all your steps
One day I know they will be tried
No deception left
And now even you might realize
That there is no lie that you can live in
Tear it apart
Your own confession
Made in the dark
Now every hour
Change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is your own, your own
One day when it finds you, take it to heart
You can’t run away
When you know that the tall, tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
Is yours
No, there is no lie that you can live in
Tear it apart
Your own confession
Made in the dark
Now every hour, change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is your own, your own
One day when it finds you
Take it to heart
You can’t run away when you know
That the tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
You know the tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow is yours
You can’t run away
If the shadow is yours
You can’t run away
When the shadow is yours
You can’t run away
No you can’t run away
If the shadow is yours
You’re only fooling yourself
Open hand or not
You are holding out
But there is no light that you can’t live in
Tear it apart
Your old confession made in the dark
Now every hour, change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is yours
Cover all your steps
One day I know they will be tried
No deception left
And now even you might realize
That there is no lie that you can live in
Tear it apart
Your own confession
Made in the dark
Now every hour
Change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is your own, your own
One day when it finds you, take it to heart
You can’t run away
When you know that the tall, tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
Is yours
No, there is no lie that you can live in
Tear it apart
Your own confession
Made in the dark
Now every hour, change of heart
You’re running away
But the shadow is your own, your own
One day when it finds you
Take it to heart
You can’t run away when you know
That the tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
You know the tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow
The tall tall shadow
Tall tall shadow is yours
You can’t run away
If the shadow is yours
You can’t run away
When the shadow is yours
You can’t run away
No you can’t run away
If the shadow is yours
Lyrics submitted by kevindubreuil
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