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.
Let me down slow an' easy
'Cause there ain't nothin' I can do
I hope and pray, my faith won't leave me
When it comes down to me an' you
Try a little tenderness
I die a little
For a long lost sweet caress
You lyin' next to me
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Overflow of emotion
And a hurt that'll never heal
If you close the door forever
The fate of pain is sealed
Try a little tenderness
I die a little
For a long lost sweet caress
You lyin' next to me
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go, yea
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
I more than long for your affection
You tell me now that ain't so
Not even gentle persuasion
Is ever gonna let me go
You lyin' next to me, yea
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go, yea
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
Won't you let me breathe?
Let me breathe
Won't you let me breathe?
Breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
Won't you let me breathe?
Breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
'Cause there ain't nothin' I can do
I hope and pray, my faith won't leave me
When it comes down to me an' you
Try a little tenderness
I die a little
For a long lost sweet caress
You lyin' next to me
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Overflow of emotion
And a hurt that'll never heal
If you close the door forever
The fate of pain is sealed
Try a little tenderness
I die a little
For a long lost sweet caress
You lyin' next to me
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go, yea
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
I more than long for your affection
You tell me now that ain't so
Not even gentle persuasion
Is ever gonna let me go
You lyin' next to me, yea
Fulfilled some destiny
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Just a little bit of lettin' go, yea
I don't want you to know
I wanna cry
But I breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
Won't you let me breathe?
Let me breathe
Won't you let me breathe?
Breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
Won't you let me breathe?
Breathe a sigh
Won't you let me breathe?
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
One of my favorite songs on Slang, the beat was meant to be similar to TLC's Diggin On You.