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.
It's funny that way, you can get used
To the tears and the pain
What a child will believe
You never loved me
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself
Seems like yesterday
I lay down next to your boots and I prayed
For your anger to end
Oh Father I have sinned
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself
Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
Maybe someday
When I look back I'll be able to say
You didn't mean to be cruel
Somebody hurt you too
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good by myself
To the tears and the pain
What a child will believe
You never loved me
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself
Seems like yesterday
I lay down next to your boots and I prayed
For your anger to end
Oh Father I have sinned
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good about myself
Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
Oh Father you never wanted to live that way
You never wanted to hurt me
Why am I running away
Maybe someday
When I look back I'll be able to say
You didn't mean to be cruel
Somebody hurt you too
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good
You can't hurt me now
I got away from you, I never thought I would
You can't make me cry, you once had the power
I never felt so good by myself
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Oh Father Lyrics as written by Patrick Leonard Madonna Louise Ciccone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I've always thought this song to be not only the most beautiful song Madonna has ever recorded, but also an interesting paradox in the meaning.
At face value, the song is clearly about a young child who is abused by her father, who grows up and breaks free of the violence.
However, I like to read between the lines on things. I see this as also being about someone who is in an abusive relationship (much like Madonna's relationship with Sean Penn) and how much it echoes the same violence she received from her father as a child. She was not only physically abused by her father, but her lover is now treating her the same way. She is plagued by memories of the abuse she endured in her childhood. She was sure she had broken free of it, but only landed in the same situation as an adult.
Just my take on it.
@mikeygoestohollywood I don't think she means to note physical abuse from her father in the song or video but, of course, the video/lyrics does speak to child abuse big time. I think in context to Madonna, in the video, she is struggling with losing the connection with her father after her mother's death. He becomes angry and starts drinking; she in a way loses her father when she loses her mother. The broken relationship with her father leads to the abusive (emotionally and physically) relationship with the husband. In the end she is able to walks away from the relationship with her husband while OR because of fixing the relationship with her father.