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.
How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now
'Cause that's just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've gotta face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've got to take
Take a look at me now
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now
Well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now
'Cause that's just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've gotta face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've got to take
Take a look at me now
Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7
Against All Odds Lyrics as written by Phillip David Charles Collins
Lyrics © NW ROYALTY CONSULTING, LLC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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What more to say that hasn't been said? Phil Collins is such a powehouse! Dudes voice is amazing and this song... its so deep. A man letting a woman know no matter what, he'll wait for her. Even though in his heart.. he knows its a slim chance. :( Mostly all of his songs are so beautiful, in whichever meaning they convey.
beautiful. this song came on when i was driving home from work, and i instantly thought how much i love my boyfriend :) it's about a guy, who is deeply in love with a girl, and everything they have with one another is so unique and special, and that he'd be lost without her. just amazing
This song is the ultimate tear jerker! It simply is amazing!
And the story behind the song was that Phil wrote the song about his divorce...
It says everything that we want to say to the one we love when it starts unravel.
@NeoSync For those that have gone through the pains of divorce I think it maybe easier to relate. Phil Collins helped me make it trough my divorce although it was more the song, "I don't care anymore" and alcohol, bars, and easy women and 10+ years before I was able to put much of the pain behind me. After 10 years remarried. Rermarried 17+ years now, monogonous, drug and alcohol free!
It really IS a tear jerker. Sitting here listening to it and sniffling lol
you know there are two ways to look at the song. As though you are the one singing the song, or you are the subject. From the subject's point of view. it is about being very much loved by someone, someone who almost expected you to leave their love life, and you do. I do not believe that necessarily these two individuals were together, they could have just been two people that we kinda testing the waters, and the one person backed out. But the singer However, even though the odds are slim that they will be together, is going to wait around. It is as though this person will wait till the end of the world. SAD SAD SAD.
A lot of me wishes that I couldnt relate sooo well to this song. After going through the worst "break up" of my life, I dont think that I'll ever be able to listen to this song ever again. To me what it really means is just how badly you wish the person could see the pain that they've put on you and just how badly you wish they cared. It's also about remember everything that you had and everything that goes along with losing a person. It really is a heartwrenching song.
This song means everything to me. theres this girl who i let slip away one year ago, we've barely talked since. ive talked to her a few times but she is either playing hard to get or isnt interested. i want to show to her how much she still means to me. i want her to "take a look at me now". all i need anymore is a second chance with her. its the only thing i could wish for.
THis is an amazing song about a guy who's life has completely fallen apart because his love has left him. All he can do is sit and wait and PRAY for her to come back into his life. It's almos as if he expected her to leave, although he does resent her for it. I can REALLY relate to this song.
Phil Collins is a genius...a guy's kind of guy who can tell the way WE feel when a relationship ends. I will say, though, as SAD SAD SAD as this song is, the line "And if you coming back to me is against all odds, it's the chance I've gotta take" does hold out hope...even against all odds, he's going to hold on and take the only chance there is. <br /> <br /> <br /> Right now, there is a woman named Mary who could sing this to me, but she gambled with my love and lost. In some cases, that hope against all odds actually is in vain.
There is only one thing that I learns from this song: NEVER EVER GIVE UP you hope! Does not matter if that is your bro/sis/gf/bf/anyone special you 'missing', never ever lost your power in WISH. And of course, BE SMART, there must be something better than /But to wait for you, is all I can do/. ;). I brave enough to say this 'cause this happens to me, YEAH, and I am on the track to get her BACK now. Just last steps now... ;)
This too, was my break up song. It really spoke volumes to me beause my g/f at the time broke up with me, and I was helpless to do anything about it. I cried (and drank) many nights just listening to that song and hoping. It's now been 6 years since she left, and although the wound is now healed, I still have the scars. Everytime I hear that song, I go back to the saddest time of my life.
Such a sad song.. It can be related in so many ways. I'll always relate it to my brother who died about two years ago. It makes me think of him, especially on New year and Christmas. He was the only person who understood me completely. I miss him so much, there's a emty space in my soul.