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.
mother nature never smelled so good
can i taste the flower that you carry
brilliant minds with pretty faces never cry
pedastal is crumbling down
now you're on the ground
selfless days are way too many
lay back, spread your legs, and don't make a sound
hiding bruises he brings you roses
says "i'm sorry" now it's okay
no hard feelings, no deep meanings
you were once special
but just for a day
he hook and baits you
to break you in two
now no one is saying
that it'll be all right
promises when he says "i love you"
face first to the floor
now you just don't know
speak up!
because no one's listening
all those lonely nights
you stayed up and cried
sick to your stomach with butterflies
he says "come here and hold me close
you never really seem to smile when i touch you"
saccharine sweet flavored drinks
taste so old
this burning in your mind
makes you feel so cold
no recollection of affection
we're only safe from harm when nothing
matters only 20 years have passed
and you're already feeling old
bell jar is ringing
and no one understands the feeling of
kicking a dead cow
and hoping that i will come alive
when everything is wrong
you just say..
"i'm doing fine."
she's reaching for something right
mother nature never smelled so good
can i taste the flower that you carry
brilliant minds with pretty faces never cry
pedastal is crumbling down
now you're on the ground
selfless days are way too many
lay back, spread your legs, and don't make a sound
hiding bruises he brings you roses
says "i'm sorry" now it's okay
no hard feelings, no deep meanings
you were once special
but just for a day
he hook and baits you
to break you in two
now no one is saying
that it'll be all right
promises when he says "i love you"
face first to the floor
now you just don't know
speak up!
because no one's listening
all those lonely nights
you stayed up and cried
sick to your stomach with butterflies
he says "come here and hold me close
you never really seem to smile when i touch you"
saccharine sweet flavored drinks
taste so old
this burning in your mind
makes you feel so cold
no recollection of affection
we're only safe from harm when nothing
matters only 20 years have passed
and you're already feeling old
bell jar is ringing
and no one understands the feeling of
kicking a dead cow
and hoping that i will come alive
when everything is wrong
you just say..
"i'm doing fine."
she's reaching for something right
can i taste the flower that you carry
brilliant minds with pretty faces never cry
pedastal is crumbling down
now you're on the ground
selfless days are way too many
lay back, spread your legs, and don't make a sound
hiding bruises he brings you roses
says "i'm sorry" now it's okay
no hard feelings, no deep meanings
you were once special
but just for a day
he hook and baits you
to break you in two
now no one is saying
that it'll be all right
promises when he says "i love you"
face first to the floor
now you just don't know
speak up!
because no one's listening
all those lonely nights
you stayed up and cried
sick to your stomach with butterflies
he says "come here and hold me close
you never really seem to smile when i touch you"
saccharine sweet flavored drinks
taste so old
this burning in your mind
makes you feel so cold
no recollection of affection
we're only safe from harm when nothing
matters only 20 years have passed
and you're already feeling old
bell jar is ringing
and no one understands the feeling of
kicking a dead cow
and hoping that i will come alive
when everything is wrong
you just say..
"i'm doing fine."
she's reaching for something right
mother nature never smelled so good
can i taste the flower that you carry
brilliant minds with pretty faces never cry
pedastal is crumbling down
now you're on the ground
selfless days are way too many
lay back, spread your legs, and don't make a sound
hiding bruises he brings you roses
says "i'm sorry" now it's okay
no hard feelings, no deep meanings
you were once special
but just for a day
he hook and baits you
to break you in two
now no one is saying
that it'll be all right
promises when he says "i love you"
face first to the floor
now you just don't know
speak up!
because no one's listening
all those lonely nights
you stayed up and cried
sick to your stomach with butterflies
he says "come here and hold me close
you never really seem to smile when i touch you"
saccharine sweet flavored drinks
taste so old
this burning in your mind
makes you feel so cold
no recollection of affection
we're only safe from harm when nothing
matters only 20 years have passed
and you're already feeling old
bell jar is ringing
and no one understands the feeling of
kicking a dead cow
and hoping that i will come alive
when everything is wrong
you just say..
"i'm doing fine."
she's reaching for something right
Lyrics submitted by cbennett
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I'm pretty sure this song is about a battered wife, but she doesn't speak up until it's too late. When I first began to understand the lyrics (can take a while with ATDI), I thought the tone was very harsh, directed toward the subjec tof the battery, but now I feel it is more intended to be cynical of the entire battery cycle.
I think it is a great song, just beautifully put together, and the final line of the song at least end it on a hopeful note.
"I'm doing fine" is not a hopeful note. It is talking about how the beaten lie to their freinds, their loved ones, and themselves. "When everything is wrong, you'll just lie." That's what it says.
I don't think pedonkle was referring to "I'm doing fine"... he was probably talking about the repetition of "she's reaching for something right" in the end which does finish things up with a little sympathy and simultaneous optimism
i think this song is about abuse, probably a man abusing a woman. i just like the part speak up because no one is listen because that can be applied to so many areas of life.
Hey! It's just like that Nickelback song!!! "You're just a child with a temper!"
Anybody know who sings the "all those lonely nights" verse? It's totally not Cedric. Great song, though, kind of an odd style for ATDI. Some killer screaming.
"lay back, spread your legs, and don't make a sound" sonds like its about raping .. or mayby just about making love... but why hes forcing her not to make a sound?
My friend has been in and out of an abuse relationship for 6 years so i like this song (if you know what i mean). the way the victim constantly forgives her partner and how she feels old. my friend once said to me that she was 23 and she doesnt want to be 30 and have wasted her youth on him (shes currently back with him and says hes changed but i dunno). My favourite line is about kicking the dead cow and hoping it will come alive. Ive seen people trying their hardest to change someone, trying to make their relationship work. Theres a desperation in this but a sense of hope. The victim cant imagine life with anyone else and cant see how much they could improve their lives by walking away. I dont think the last line is optimistic. I think this is her friend who is watching all this, he/she knows this person well and knows all that has happened and will happen. The victim may say shes gonna leave him but the friend knows that she doesnt have the strength to do that - so the line is almost sarcastic in tone. I dont think the song is actually about the victim of abuse. its about a friend who is seeing someone they love slowly kill themselves and the anger they feel towards both the victim and the abuser. Thats why the song goes 'mental' if you like, Cedric is singing like he is frustrated and angry that he cant help her. Cos you can never help anyone who doesnt want it. ive tried. depressing isnt it?
i agree with the explanation of the lyrics. i love the dual voices in the 'all those lonely night ....' part... and there's a cute little guitar part in there, too. and i love the screaming in this song, i scream along every time.... wheee!!! :)
star slight, I think its Ben singing the "all those loney nights" verse. He was the bass player, who, as the legend goes, got kicked out of ATDI for apparentely forcing their friend Julio into suicide, which is also why he isn't credited on the album. Ben and Julio are also what "De-Loused in the Comatorium" by the Mars Volta is about.