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.
Just a day, just an, ordinary day
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an, ordinary boy but
He was looking to the sky and
As he asked if I would come along
I started to realize that everyday he finds just what he's lookin' for
Like a shooting star he shines, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
And as he spoke, he spoke, ordinary words
Though they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal and
As I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine
And I know he's no stranger
For I feel I've held him for all of time, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
Please come with me, see what I see
Touch the stars for time will not flee
Time will not flee, can't you see
Just a dream, just an, ordinary dream
As I wake in bed
And that boy, that ordinary boy
Was it all in my head?
Didn't he ask if I would come along
It all seemed so real, but as I looked to the door
I saw that boy standing there with a deal, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right, in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an ordinary boy, but
He was looking to the sky
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an, ordinary boy but
He was looking to the sky and
As he asked if I would come along
I started to realize that everyday he finds just what he's lookin' for
Like a shooting star he shines, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
And as he spoke, he spoke, ordinary words
Though they did not feel
For I felt what I had not felt before
And you'd swear those words could heal and
As I looked up into those eyes, his vision borrows mine
And I know he's no stranger
For I feel I've held him for all of time, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right in the palm of your hand
Please come with me, see what I see
Touch the stars for time will not flee
Time will not flee, can't you see
Just a dream, just an, ordinary dream
As I wake in bed
And that boy, that ordinary boy
Was it all in my head?
Didn't he ask if I would come along
It all seemed so real, but as I looked to the door
I saw that boy standing there with a deal, and he said
Take my hand, live while you can
Don't you see your dreams lie right, in the palm of your hand
In the palm of your hand
Just a day, just an ordinary day
Just tryin' to get by
Just a boy, just an ordinary boy, but
He was looking to the sky
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
This song, to me, is about meeting someone who changes your perspective and teaches you to live life to its fullest, and not necessarily in a bad way. I dislike the video, though; it gives the impression that the song is just about making out, etc. And the song is sooo much more than that.
this is the cutest song. i think every teenage girl can relate.
My friend told me to d/l this for her to burn a Cd,and I linsten to it I just fall for it.. it's good. I understand that.. I mean don't all girls want a guy who will "TAKE OUR HAND" and "conquer this land" with us?... I know I do.. I love how it is "LIVE While You Can" in there I think it's kinda about God.I mean He tells us to live as we can and to be with him.I think that he loves us for us and he just wants us to know that he'll be there for us.and we some times just need to Reach for him.. Great song and Great Lyrics :):):):):)
this song reminds me of me and my ex girlfriend so much. it's about falling in love. "live while you can" doesn't mean go out and party, it means find someone you love, and bask in that love.
it's so true, everything in it is wow it really feels.
i sing this song all the time in class :)
thhis song reminds me of teh boy i like :/ and we arent doing to well in our "relationship" the part that goes: Just a boy, Just an ordinary boy. But he was looking to the sky.
is sooooooo good its reminds me of how i see things, if you set your mind on sumthing and strive for the best everything will come out ok and be wonderful...do u think the same?
I love this song. I relate to this song more than any other I;ve heard I think. Prolly b/c it's it's about making what you could out of life, about daydreaming and askind "did that just happen?" about wanting to make an ordinary day into something extraordinary.
This song, to me, has always been about meeting someone who changes your life. It reminds me of my bf. I met him 4 years ago, and he was just "that guy who sat across from me on the bus", but even then, he made me want to live more. I could open up to him and be myself, and he encouraged me and supported me in that more than my other friends ever had. I felt like I'd known him forever, like he knew me better than anyone. September 2002, it was just a day, just an ordinary day in highschool; he was just an ordinary guy. But I fell for him without even meaning to and now we're so much more. But 4 years ago I would never have believed it. I guess what I get out of this song is that the smallest and simplest and most insignificant things in life can turn out to be the most meaningful of all.
maybe its about looking for perfection and when u realize that what you thought you were looking for is not what you really want, and what you really want is someone ordinary
Erie Maxwell - "This song has always been about 'Peter Pan' for me. I'm not sure it's just a comfort thing from when I first heard it that stuck, but it's always fit so well in my mind."
I totally agree with him. Especially the part where it always goes "please come with me, see what i see.." and so on. Definitely reminds me of the scene in peter pan where we wants Wendy to fly away with her. So cute! love this song.