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.
History never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
Don't say the words you might regret
I lost before, you know I can't forget
There was a girl I used to know
She dealt my love a savage blow
I was so young, too blind to see
But anyway, that's history
And I say, history never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
You say I always play the fool
I can't go on if that's the rule
Better to jump than hesitate
I need a change and I can't wait
I say, history never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
Never repeats, whoa, oh
History never repeats (x2)
Deep in the night it's all so clear
I lie awake with great ideas
Looking about in no man's land
I think at last I understand
History never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
Ahhh
I tell myself before I go to sleep
Don't say the words you might regret
I lost before, you know I can't forget
There was a girl I used to know
She dealt my love a savage blow
I was so young, too blind to see
But anyway, that's history
And I say, history never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
You say I always play the fool
I can't go on if that's the rule
Better to jump than hesitate
I need a change and I can't wait
I say, history never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
Never repeats, whoa, oh
History never repeats (x2)
Deep in the night it's all so clear
I lie awake with great ideas
Looking about in no man's land
I think at last I understand
History never repeats
I tell myself before I go to sleep
And there's a light shining in the dark
Leading me on towards a change of heart
Ahhh
Lyrics submitted by alimania
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this song was done by Split Enz, but you are right Split Enz eventually became Crowded House but they did this while under the name Split Enz