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.
I know you're heard the excuses before
So I won't waste your time and I'll keep this short
I've bound my emotions 'cause I can't afford to be wrong
I know we've talked about being good friends
So we've been real careful of the signals we've sent
But all of your glances they came and the went to my head
And I'm not a man to throuw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" that's what I meant
And I plan to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
The rest of my life
The rest of my life
I don't want to rush this cause my greatest fear
is taking for granted what's taken us years
To build from the ground up with all of the tears that we cried
We've taken our time and for this I'm so glad
Now we can be sure that this moment will last
We've traveled a road of mistakes in our past to get her
And I'm not about to throw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" that's what I meant
And I'm going to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
The rest of my life
The rest of my life
And I'm not a man to throw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" well, that's what I meant
And I plan to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
So I won't waste your time and I'll keep this short
I've bound my emotions 'cause I can't afford to be wrong
I know we've talked about being good friends
So we've been real careful of the signals we've sent
But all of your glances they came and the went to my head
And I'm not a man to throuw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" that's what I meant
And I plan to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
The rest of my life
The rest of my life
I don't want to rush this cause my greatest fear
is taking for granted what's taken us years
To build from the ground up with all of the tears that we cried
We've taken our time and for this I'm so glad
Now we can be sure that this moment will last
We've traveled a road of mistakes in our past to get her
And I'm not about to throw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" that's what I meant
And I'm going to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
The rest of my life
The rest of my life
And I'm not a man to throw words to the wind
When I said "I love you" well, that's what I meant
And I plan to show you if it takes me the rest of my life
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This song means everything to me. This song describes my first crush, how you can be friends, and how both of you can want to be more, but you never do. It's a great love song about trust, love, and friendship. One of the top 5 Blessid Union of Souls songs they do:)
Oh my gosh... this song... So I'm sitting on my kitchen counter with my boyfriend, and we're kind of ending a little dispute on my commitment issues. And he says, "[something something] and if I could give you everything for the rest of my life." And immediately after this, Eliot sings, "And I plan to show you if it takes me the rest of my life."
I could have died.
Well this reminds me of my best friend-Eric! I love you. cuz i know that hed do anything to prove to me he loved me even if it was to take the rest of his life!n i love you! great sogn!
I love this song too. mostly "I'm not a man to throw words to the wind- when I said I loved you, thats what I meant" I got this cd when it came out and am now finally obsessed with it. Weird.
well this song would mean a lot more to someone that has actually felt this way, as with most things. its about 2 best friends who one day realise they are in love with each other i love the line " i dont want to rush this for my greatest fear is taking for granted whats taken us years" i think its really nice and its so true. i think the high point of the song is where he says "im not a man to throw words to the wind when i said i loved that wat i meant and im going to show u even if it takes the rest of my life" those words are so powerful for someone to say that to someone he must really love her, its a great song with a great meaning and i love it lol im such a sucker for this kind of music it makes me think of one of my friends :D des
Absolutely LOVE this song! Reminds me exaclty of my current situation. But, the third line of the song is actually... "I've bound my emotions because I can't afford to be wrong."
Just wanted to correct that because it really helps with the meaning of the song.