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.
In my mind
I can see reminders of a past decade
So far behind
Like the shadows linger at the close of day
And we could see
We were timeless dreamers of another day
And we were free
In a dawning age we had so much to say
Ooh, the nights you came to me
A blue jean lady so eager to be free
And the wind in your long hair blowin' as we stood for the band
Oh, Hollyann
Hollyann
We made the dark into light
We saw the wrong and the right
We were for life and we would never concede it
Hollyann
We left the world behind
A million hands gave the sign
We held the line, can you believe it?
Hollyann
Hollyann
We could live
Just to turn the world into our fantasy
And we could give
Aquarius was really meant to be
You and I, we were there to see the dawn
Side by side we had love to carry on
And I still hear guitars in the air as we sat in the sand
Oh, Hollyann
Hollyann
We made the dark into light
We saw the wrong and the right
We were for life and we would never concede it
Hollyann
We left the world behind
A million hands gave the sign
We held the line, can you believe it?
Hollyann
I can see reminders of a past decade
So far behind
Like the shadows linger at the close of day
And we could see
We were timeless dreamers of another day
And we were free
In a dawning age we had so much to say
Ooh, the nights you came to me
A blue jean lady so eager to be free
And the wind in your long hair blowin' as we stood for the band
Oh, Hollyann
Hollyann
We made the dark into light
We saw the wrong and the right
We were for life and we would never concede it
Hollyann
We left the world behind
A million hands gave the sign
We held the line, can you believe it?
Hollyann
Hollyann
We could live
Just to turn the world into our fantasy
And we could give
Aquarius was really meant to be
You and I, we were there to see the dawn
Side by side we had love to carry on
And I still hear guitars in the air as we sat in the sand
Oh, Hollyann
Hollyann
We made the dark into light
We saw the wrong and the right
We were for life and we would never concede it
Hollyann
We left the world behind
A million hands gave the sign
We held the line, can you believe it?
Hollyann
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
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.
I'm just relieved that the line in the song is, "We were for life and we would never concede it," instead of, "We were pro-life and we would never concede it." Can you imagine the difference that one little change would have made?