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.
Check my pulse
Listen close to the evening grow
What's the perspective like?
I'm trying to control it
Staying wired, all set up
To be purged again
Oh, I'm the absconder
Searching for respite
I thought I had it all figured out
Spilled my cold heart onto the asphalt
Made sure my reasons for sorrow would remain
Did let the lack of serotonin define my name
When I all ever wanted was to make you smile again
Soaring words
To invoke the starless energy
But I'm long since gone
I'm wasted, baby
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
(I'm reaching for oblivion)
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
Constant need to depart (I'm reaching for oblivion)
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure (let me rest my heart in the quiet of the dark)
I thought I had it all figured out
Spilled my cold heart onto the asphalt
Made sure my reasons for sorrow would remain
Did let the lack of serotonin define my name
When I all ever wanted was to make you smile again
Listen close to the evening grow
What's the perspective like?
I'm trying to control it
Staying wired, all set up
To be purged again
Oh, I'm the absconder
Searching for respite
I thought I had it all figured out
Spilled my cold heart onto the asphalt
Made sure my reasons for sorrow would remain
Did let the lack of serotonin define my name
When I all ever wanted was to make you smile again
Soaring words
To invoke the starless energy
But I'm long since gone
I'm wasted, baby
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
(I'm reaching for oblivion)
Constant need to depart
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure
Constant need to depart (I'm reaching for oblivion)
And slip through the cracks of the divine closure (let me rest my heart in the quiet of the dark)
I thought I had it all figured out
Spilled my cold heart onto the asphalt
Made sure my reasons for sorrow would remain
Did let the lack of serotonin define my name
When I all ever wanted was to make you smile again
Lyrics submitted by BreezyDragon
Absconder Lyrics as written by Jonas Renkse
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The definition of absconder is a fugitive who runs away and hides to avoid arrest or prosecution. I think from from the songs frame of reference, this person is seeking escape from their own suffering/ inner turmoil.