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.
What a beautiful life away, naked from all the Apollonians
For their radiance shines on and on
When endowed with promises, majestic with all the stallions
But the fateful truth burns on and on
When in doubt you made me stay connected in with the beyond and on
Like when the radio plays on and on
So the earth would dry of song if i sang you one
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon!
So you got the best of me so amazingly
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon and on and on
Oh the way that you waved to me, it awakened me in shock and awe
During the reigning age of Solomon and on and on
My nefarious state of mind illuminate in every song
For your serenade plays on and on...
So the earth would dry of song if i sang you one
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon!
So you got the best of me so amazingly
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon and on and on
For their radiance shines on and on
When endowed with promises, majestic with all the stallions
But the fateful truth burns on and on
When in doubt you made me stay connected in with the beyond and on
Like when the radio plays on and on
So the earth would dry of song if i sang you one
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon!
So you got the best of me so amazingly
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon and on and on
Oh the way that you waved to me, it awakened me in shock and awe
During the reigning age of Solomon and on and on
My nefarious state of mind illuminate in every song
For your serenade plays on and on...
So the earth would dry of song if i sang you one
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon!
So you got the best of me so amazingly
Carry on! Carry on Phenomenon and on and on
Lyrics submitted by ksuwdboots, edited by mikeandyitsak
Carry on Phenomenon Lyrics as written by Kaoru Ishibashi
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song refers to religion, in some aspect.
He begins by saying that 'it' has been present since the ancient Greek times.
The line - "endowed with promises, majestic with all the stallions but the fateful truth burns on and on"
I think this is speaking of how religion promises so many wonderful things but he believes that is false "the truth" maybe his admittance that he does not think religion is REAL. It's a beautiful thing but like a song on the radio is not tangible, it's just something we listen to to feel better.
The line- "Oh the way that you waved to me, it awakened me in shock and awe during the reigning age of Solomon and on and on" I think this means that the first time he read the bible and heard the stories he was caught off guard and the stories were so big and wonderful. 'shock and aw.'
But I think ultimately he is hiding a deeper darker part of himself that he feels he must always hide away. For the presence of this perfection that is desired by religion does not live within himself.
"my nefarious state of mind illuminate in every song for your serenade plays on and on..."
nefarious, meaning criminal or wicked, might beg to point out that while the serenade of religion plays on he is not a pristine as that.
I'm not sure, it's just a guess. But that's my thought on it!