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.
Your momma can't stand the way you lay around all day
And lean on her to help you on your way
You use her credit cards, complain cause it's so hard
To live with all the whiteness you've obtained
So you pack up all your things and cut those apron strings
And set out for a drastic change of scene
You hump it town to town and never let them down
Or take the time to ponder what it means
You climb up to the roof to smoke a few
And calm down from your day and soak the view
And you wonder what the hell you're gonna do
To hang on, to hang on
It isn't any wonder when the darkness pulls you under
From the weight of all your wonderment
And the price you have to pay
Leaves you feeling kinda sickly and it all comes due so quickly
It's hard to get out from under it
The night it grows so long but you put it in a song
That suddenly the whole world wants to sing
So you move to higher ground and set some deep roots down
And try to keep your grip on everything
Sometimes in the silence of the night
That voice might try to tell you it's not right
So you close your eyes and try with all your might
To hang on
And lean on her to help you on your way
You use her credit cards, complain cause it's so hard
To live with all the whiteness you've obtained
So you pack up all your things and cut those apron strings
And set out for a drastic change of scene
You hump it town to town and never let them down
Or take the time to ponder what it means
You climb up to the roof to smoke a few
And calm down from your day and soak the view
And you wonder what the hell you're gonna do
To hang on, to hang on
It isn't any wonder when the darkness pulls you under
From the weight of all your wonderment
And the price you have to pay
Leaves you feeling kinda sickly and it all comes due so quickly
It's hard to get out from under it
The night it grows so long but you put it in a song
That suddenly the whole world wants to sing
So you move to higher ground and set some deep roots down
And try to keep your grip on everything
Sometimes in the silence of the night
That voice might try to tell you it's not right
So you close your eyes and try with all your might
To hang on
Lyrics submitted by withinyourreach
Hanging On Lyrics as written by Patterson Hood
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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