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.
bittersweet your too complete ask me why
you’re over there and you’re shy to stare you catch her eye
when you do she looks at you with silent signs
and i know that you glow like the sky
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
dance with me dance with me
you think you’re so fucking sweet
yeah you’re so sweet
it’s friday night your joke’s alright you come with me
you’re falling hard and it’s too hard to see me
when you do she looks at you behind the line
and i’ll know that you glow like the sky
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
that’s with me dance with me
give yourself away...
you’re over there and you’re shy to stare you catch her eye
when you do she looks at you with silent signs
and i know that you glow like the sky
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
dance with me dance with me
you think you’re so fucking sweet
yeah you’re so sweet
it’s friday night your joke’s alright you come with me
you’re falling hard and it’s too hard to see me
when you do she looks at you behind the line
and i’ll know that you glow like the sky
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
you’ve got nowhere to run
but you’ve got someplace to be
that’s with me dance with me
give yourself away...
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
i like this song...even if no one else ever heard of howie day, i love him and his lyrics
I like this song too...I can't really say there is anything spectacular about it, but it is easy listening and that makes it wonderful in itself.
This is probably my fav song from him. Great, great stuff. Not only is he absolutely talented, but he's not afraid to hold back in his lyrics (ie; "You're so fucking sweet"), even though he's not huge, and his debut album could very well make or break his career. Definitely worth the fifteen bucks for his album.
This is his best song!
howie's from maine...so am i. hehe, he ruuules, i love his voice...and i don't care what everyone says, i don't think he sounds that much like dave matthews.
weee hooo
I don't really care much for howie's debut album. Once you get into concerts it's hard to enjoy a studio album. If the only howie you've heard is the studio, MAN your missing out, missing out big time.
this is one of the best sarcastic songs i know. howie day has a very dexterous way with all of his lyrics. i think the song is about a girl using a guy because he falls for her easy, but what she doesn't know is that he knows she is just using him so what is ment by "you think you're so fucking sweet" is 'jokes on you bitch!'