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.
I can see the storms in her eyes now
I'm falling overboard in the waves
In over my head and she's a high tide
That keeps pushing me away
I thought that we would build this together
But everything I touch just seems to break
Am I your sail or your anchor?
Am I the calm or the hurricane?
I feel the ground start to shake
I hear a voice shouting "No"
But there is no fucking way
I'd leave you
So I'll just hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
But is the soundtrack to our lives
The bang of a slamming door
What happens when we all start to feel like
Nothing matters anymore
Every day like a chambered round, a trigger pulled
A hammer click, a breath we hold
A world outside I can't control
No matter what I do
So I'll just hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
How is it a thing
That we just wanna hurt each other
I'm waiting out the rain
'Cause life is gonna rain forever
Someday you will learn
That all I ever did was for you
And I would do it all again
I would do it all again
'Til then I'll hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
Of you (oh oh)
Of you (oh oh)
Of you (oh oh)
Of you
I'm falling overboard in the waves
In over my head and she's a high tide
That keeps pushing me away
I thought that we would build this together
But everything I touch just seems to break
Am I your sail or your anchor?
Am I the calm or the hurricane?
I feel the ground start to shake
I hear a voice shouting "No"
But there is no fucking way
I'd leave you
So I'll just hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
But is the soundtrack to our lives
The bang of a slamming door
What happens when we all start to feel like
Nothing matters anymore
Every day like a chambered round, a trigger pulled
A hammer click, a breath we hold
A world outside I can't control
No matter what I do
So I'll just hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
How is it a thing
That we just wanna hurt each other
I'm waiting out the rain
'Cause life is gonna rain forever
Someday you will learn
That all I ever did was for you
And I would do it all again
I would do it all again
'Til then I'll hold you like a hand grenade
You touch me like a razor blade
I wish there was some other way right now, oh oh
Like a house on fire we're up in flames
I'd burn here if that's what it takes
To let you know I won't let go of you, oh oh
Of you (oh oh)
Of you (oh oh)
Of you (oh oh)
Of you
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
House On Fire Lyrics as written by Joe Principe Brandon Barnes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Actually Tim McIlrath explained that this song is about being a parent. It is about how stressful it can be to raise teenagers because they argue a lot and always want to get their way. And to educate those to reasonable adults can be tough at times.
I think the song is about someone who is in love but can't let go. He is not sure if he is the "sail or the anchor", "calm or the hurricane". But will still not let her go and holds her tight "like a hand grenade". "Someday you will learn, that all I ever did was for you" might say abuse from his part. But "You touch me like a razor blade" makes me feelthis is a toxic relationship from both parts.
I've never done this but it would be nice to know what you guys think.
@Toremate That is an interesting interpretation. At first I thought it was about a bad relationship, too. Turns out it was written about something completely different. I guess this shows how lyrics can express quite different things at once.