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.
One man standing on the plains of Abraham
Watching the damaged sunrise
One man standing near the edge of a quiet breakdown
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
Once you start hiding you keep on hiding
Till your paranoia calms down
Once you start watching you keep on watching
Till you're tied up and your spell bound
Just between the ice ages anyway
I want to talk, but I haven't got too much to say
I don't mean to be so Nihilistic
Forgive me if I seem to be too realistic
Once you start running you keep on running
Till your muscles start to break down
Once you start falling you keep on falling
Till you hit the cold cold ground
I watch TV - What do you want from me?
I watch TV - What do you want from me?
Just between the ice ages anyway
I want to talk, I haven't got enough to say
I don't mean to be so nihilistic
Forgive me if I seem to be too realistic
Once you start hiding you keep on hiding
Till you feel you're safe and sound
Once you start watching you keep on watching
Till you're tied up and you're spell bound
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
I watch the sea, I saw it on TV
Watching the damaged sunrise
One man standing near the edge of a quiet breakdown
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
Once you start hiding you keep on hiding
Till your paranoia calms down
Once you start watching you keep on watching
Till you're tied up and your spell bound
Just between the ice ages anyway
I want to talk, but I haven't got too much to say
I don't mean to be so Nihilistic
Forgive me if I seem to be too realistic
Once you start running you keep on running
Till your muscles start to break down
Once you start falling you keep on falling
Till you hit the cold cold ground
I watch TV - What do you want from me?
I watch TV - What do you want from me?
Just between the ice ages anyway
I want to talk, I haven't got enough to say
I don't mean to be so nihilistic
Forgive me if I seem to be too realistic
Once you start hiding you keep on hiding
Till you feel you're safe and sound
Once you start watching you keep on watching
Till you're tied up and you're spell bound
I watch the sea, it helps to anchor me
I watch the sea, I saw it on TV
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i was hope'n to hear what people think this song is about cuz i have pretty much no idea, i love rush so when i heard of this album i have to listin to it. i dont like all the songs but whats geddy with out alex and neal but he did pretty good with out them, ok and im goin to add the lyrics to the rest of the songs on this album if it doesnt take too long
Not too sure, but here's a thought. Is it a comment on the almost stupifying effect of TV on our societies? We hide away and become spellbound by TV - a bit like watching the sea (which I love to do!) or a sunrise/sunset? Has TV replaced these things? Not too sure of the significance of The Plains of Abraham, which I'm pretty sure is referring to the park in Quebec and "standing near the edge of a quiet breakdown"? Hmm ... good track but not my fave on the album.
i love how dark this record is truly awsome im a huge fan of rush
I think Teddy Lee, though a great musician, is not a very good luracist, Neil Peart always did that part for him, and he was just trying to sound intellectual like Neil
@roblawhon2
@roblawhon2
Geddy Not Teddy
The best gawdamn bassis ever though