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.
Mumbling and then a shrill scream
You and I were stuck in the waste
Talking about our salad days
What a damn lie
But you and I are stuck like glue
And that's the God damn truth
Baby, bye-bye
Well, you could turn to water and we'd all float on
Give up trying to be someone
Take your head apart
Free your own heart
You and I are stuck out of phase
Always begging for some grace when there's no time
We get no reply
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
You and I repent of our sins
Yeah, we feel so American laying in the road
Was a shoe-in for the crash of the day
And we're never going to walk away
Never going home
I'm hoping that in time, you can lay down
All this weight you've been carrying around and maybe one day
You'll find your way
To climb on up out of your grave
With the bits of you you managed to save
And for the last time
Yeah, you say good-bye
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
'Cause every night had you laid low
It's going to feel so good to let it go
It's all in your head, your race is run
Don't give up, my son, this is the last one
This is the last one
And he said, "You are not alone
You are not alone"
And he said, "You are not alone
You are not alone"
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
Every night had you laid low
It's going to feel so good to let it go
It's all in your head, your race is run
Don't give up, my son, this is the last one
This is the last one
You and I were stuck in the waste
Talking about our salad days
What a damn lie
But you and I are stuck like glue
And that's the God damn truth
Baby, bye-bye
Well, you could turn to water and we'd all float on
Give up trying to be someone
Take your head apart
Free your own heart
You and I are stuck out of phase
Always begging for some grace when there's no time
We get no reply
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
You and I repent of our sins
Yeah, we feel so American laying in the road
Was a shoe-in for the crash of the day
And we're never going to walk away
Never going home
I'm hoping that in time, you can lay down
All this weight you've been carrying around and maybe one day
You'll find your way
To climb on up out of your grave
With the bits of you you managed to save
And for the last time
Yeah, you say good-bye
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
'Cause every night had you laid low
It's going to feel so good to let it go
It's all in your head, your race is run
Don't give up, my son, this is the last one
This is the last one
And he said, "You are not alone
You are not alone"
And he said, "You are not alone
You are not alone"
Every night you were tripping out
In the morning you were coming down
If it's breaking your heart, if nothing is fun
Don't lose hope, my son
This is the last one
Every night had you laid low
It's going to feel so good to let it go
It's all in your head, your race is run
Don't give up, my son, this is the last one
This is the last one
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There is of course the overt references to drug use and addiction in this song but hear me out for just a moment.
The line, "take your head apart" is awfully similar to "take apart your head" from degausser.
I personally have always felt that Degausser was about love lost, if it wasn't obvious. Well, does this song have any connection to any lost loves? Sherri Dupree?
Just noting, she did form a band with her husband and one of the songs they wrote is called "tripping." "Every night you were tripping out."
I can't help but feel like there is something there.