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.
Life slips by,and I'm losing time
I feel left out, and I need a sign
My folks tell me that I'm in my prime
But I've been too long on the border line
I look around at the other guys
to see myself
looking through their eyes
but the truth ain't there,
just a pack of lies
and each wasted word,
makes a wasted line
I left myself behind
the years have not been kind
to anyone but you,
so tell me that's not true
I left myself behind
I over-stepped the line
I blame it all on you,
the only thing to do
I slipped every time
I thought that I should try
to think of something else
but the years go rolling by
Fought our souls, watch the ship capsize
a mighty force brought down to size
and she can't escape the resounding cry
and the feeling that you're next in line
So breathe real deep and take your time
unlock yourself from your own very mind
because the curtain drops each time I try
to make your way across the bottom line
I left myself behind
the years have not been kind to anyone but you,
so tell me that's not true
I left myself behind
I over-stepped the line
I blame it all on you,
the only thing to do
I slipped every time
I thought that I should try
to think of something else
but the years go rolling by
I feel left out, and I need a sign
My folks tell me that I'm in my prime
But I've been too long on the border line
I look around at the other guys
to see myself
looking through their eyes
but the truth ain't there,
just a pack of lies
and each wasted word,
makes a wasted line
I left myself behind
the years have not been kind
to anyone but you,
so tell me that's not true
I left myself behind
I over-stepped the line
I blame it all on you,
the only thing to do
I slipped every time
I thought that I should try
to think of something else
but the years go rolling by
Fought our souls, watch the ship capsize
a mighty force brought down to size
and she can't escape the resounding cry
and the feeling that you're next in line
So breathe real deep and take your time
unlock yourself from your own very mind
because the curtain drops each time I try
to make your way across the bottom line
I left myself behind
the years have not been kind to anyone but you,
so tell me that's not true
I left myself behind
I over-stepped the line
I blame it all on you,
the only thing to do
I slipped every time
I thought that I should try
to think of something else
but the years go rolling by
Lyrics submitted by thebandtoyfan
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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