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'm a high steppin', high bettin'
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
I'm an outsider lookin' in
I got a perfect square for a circle of friends
It's the four of us against the rest of you
But really I am all alone
I'd sell 'em out to save my own
I told them that but they don't buy the truth
I'm a high steppin', high bettin'
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
Well it's warfare out there, folks
You're either working for success
Or to be rich or, God help us, famous
Or you're working against the clock just to stay afloat
Got your nose all scraped up from the grindstone
You're digging for diamonds and only finding rhinestones
Meanwhile it's August and the tax man has never heard of summer vacation
You're either working on yourself or you're lookin' after babies
Takin' care of your old man or your old lady
And the direct line to the hospital just says "Leave a message"
See, you can only live one day at a time
Only drive one hot rod at a time
Only say one word at a time
And only think one thought at a time
And every soul is alone when the day becomes night
And there in the dark if you can try to see the light
In the most pitch black shape of the loneliest shadow
Well then you ought to sleep well
'Cause there's hope for sure
Well I don't know about all that being true but
I do know this
The best beggars are choosers
The best winners are losers
The best lovers ain't never been loved
And first place ain't easy
The hardest part is believing
The very last word is love
I'm a high steppin', high bettin'
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
I'm an outsider lookin' in
I got a perfect square for a circle of friends
It's the four of us against the rest of you
But really I am all alone
I'd sell 'em out to save my own
I told them that but they don't buy the truth
I'm a high steppin', high bettin'
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
Well it's warfare out there, folks
You're either working for success
Or to be rich or, God help us, famous
Or you're working against the clock just to stay afloat
Got your nose all scraped up from the grindstone
You're digging for diamonds and only finding rhinestones
Meanwhile it's August and the tax man has never heard of summer vacation
You're either working on yourself or you're lookin' after babies
Takin' care of your old man or your old lady
And the direct line to the hospital just says "Leave a message"
See, you can only live one day at a time
Only drive one hot rod at a time
Only say one word at a time
And only think one thought at a time
And every soul is alone when the day becomes night
And there in the dark if you can try to see the light
In the most pitch black shape of the loneliest shadow
Well then you ought to sleep well
'Cause there's hope for sure
Well I don't know about all that being true but
I do know this
The best beggars are choosers
The best winners are losers
The best lovers ain't never been loved
And first place ain't easy
The hardest part is believing
The very last word is love
I'm a high steppin', high bettin'
Love givin', I'm a love gettin'
I'm a stranger, I love stretchin' out my wheels
Overnightin' on the desert strip
Makin' time and losin' grip
Drivin' circles in the canyons of my mind
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
High Steppin' Lyrics as written by Scott Avett Seth Avett
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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”
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.