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 fell into the future, though I didn't want to
I lost my only home
A new face on the coin, didn't see it coming
Strange king in a strange throne
A place where I can rest was all I ever wanted
My broken weary bones
Somewhere to belong but there might be an answer
Among the stones
Every note there from the start
The song I heard way back in the dark
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
Came upon an oak tree beside the river
Familiar and unknown
Carve me on the bark so I'll always remember
My way back home
A mark upon the map will be my steady beacon
My old and trusted friend
Brighter than a flare, stronger than religion
A guiding wind
A voice I know comes through the crowd
A distant jump with echoes inside
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
A hook in the sky that pulls us
A pin that we recognize
A journey is the destination that keeps us alive
These words are like a net
That try and catch the longing
With pen and with a page but nothing seems to come
And it still lies a shadow beyond my reach
Every note there from the start
The song I heard way back in the dark
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
I lost my only home
A new face on the coin, didn't see it coming
Strange king in a strange throne
A place where I can rest was all I ever wanted
My broken weary bones
Somewhere to belong but there might be an answer
Among the stones
Every note there from the start
The song I heard way back in the dark
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
Came upon an oak tree beside the river
Familiar and unknown
Carve me on the bark so I'll always remember
My way back home
A mark upon the map will be my steady beacon
My old and trusted friend
Brighter than a flare, stronger than religion
A guiding wind
A voice I know comes through the crowd
A distant jump with echoes inside
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
A hook in the sky that pulls us
A pin that we recognize
A journey is the destination that keeps us alive
These words are like a net
That try and catch the longing
With pen and with a page but nothing seems to come
And it still lies a shadow beyond my reach
Every note there from the start
The song I heard way back in the dark
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
Feels like it's always been there
I knew it before I even cared
Feels like it's always been there, waiting
Lyrics submitted by Nacelle
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.