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'm not the sort of person who falls
In and quickly out of love
But to you I gave my affection
Right from the start
I have a lover who loves me:
How could I break such a heart?
Yet still you gained my attention
Why do you come here
When you know I've got troubles enough?
Why do you call me
When you know I can't answer the phone?
Make me lie, when I don't want to
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin' fool
You make me stare, when I should not
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?
Why do you come here
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly
Feeling guilty, worried,
Waking from tormented sleep
This old love has me bound
But this new love cuts deep
If I choose now, I'll lose out
One of you has to fall
But I need you, and you
Why do you come here
When you know I've got troubles enough?
Why do you call me
When you know I can't answer the phone?
Make me lie, when I don't want to
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin' fool
You make me stare, when I should not
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?
Why do you come here
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly
In and quickly out of love
But to you I gave my affection
Right from the start
I have a lover who loves me:
How could I break such a heart?
Yet still you gained my attention
Why do you come here
When you know I've got troubles enough?
Why do you call me
When you know I can't answer the phone?
Make me lie, when I don't want to
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin' fool
You make me stare, when I should not
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?
Why do you come here
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly
Feeling guilty, worried,
Waking from tormented sleep
This old love has me bound
But this new love cuts deep
If I choose now, I'll lose out
One of you has to fall
But I need you, and you
Why do you come here
When you know I've got troubles enough?
Why do you call me
When you know I can't answer the phone?
Make me lie, when I don't want to
And make someone else some kind of an unknowin' fool
You make me stare, when I should not
Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me?
Why do you come here
And pretend to be just passing by?
But I need to see you,
And I mean to hold you
Tightly
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song means.... oh how silly! If you've lived it..you don't have to recant to others what it 'means.' Its life..its power..its stark reality... and even though I've heard Melissa Etheridge also sing it, I can't imagine anyone else but Joan doing it (except maybe Tracy Chapman). Hey Folks..life is not perfect...but very real! ...........it happens.
@ShannyH This is perfect in how you feel. Jx