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.
Well, I'm alone and I'm feeling lost
If I could only have it all
Then I'd be alright
'Cause I can't see who I really am
Through all the doubt that I'm living in
But I know it, yeah
Right before I hit the ground
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
There's a dark cloud over me
And I can't shake it off
I can't make a move to save myself
Thoughts keep spin' into my head
All the times that we never did
What we want to, yeah
Right before I hit the ground
It's just like a dream
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
The distance grows, I'm sinking down
And what I lost, it can't be found
Although I try
Can't find my way
Nothing is falling into place
Oh, no no
And I'm feeling lost
I feel, I feel, yeah, it's just like a dream
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
If I could only have it all
Then I'd be alright
'Cause I can't see who I really am
Through all the doubt that I'm living in
But I know it, yeah
Right before I hit the ground
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
There's a dark cloud over me
And I can't shake it off
I can't make a move to save myself
Thoughts keep spin' into my head
All the times that we never did
What we want to, yeah
Right before I hit the ground
It's just like a dream
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
The distance grows, I'm sinking down
And what I lost, it can't be found
Although I try
Can't find my way
Nothing is falling into place
Oh, no no
And I'm feeling lost
I feel, I feel, yeah, it's just like a dream
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
Why am I losing sleep?
Yeah, feeling like I do
Why am I losing you?
And I'm feeling lost
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Great version of a great song,
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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Alex Band is very sexy and this is an awesome song. that's i all i have to say.