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.
Butch Cassidy, I could've been your friend
And rode with you and the Sundance Kid
We'd laugh awhile and we'd smile a bit
'Cause crimes like ours aren't counterfeit
They say you never even killed a man
'Til it came right down to your final stand
Bullets flyin' and the wounded cryin'
And your buddy, he's goin' down
Get lower and the feelin's showin'
And you gave off the final sound
'Cause a soldier's death is so much better
than Defeat just hangin' around
Defeat just hangin' around
And rode with you and the Sundance Kid
We'd laugh awhile and we'd smile a bit
'Cause crimes like ours aren't counterfeit
They say you never even killed a man
'Til it came right down to your final stand
Bullets flyin' and the wounded cryin'
And your buddy, he's goin' down
Get lower and the feelin's showin'
And you gave off the final sound
'Cause a soldier's death is so much better
than Defeat just hangin' around
Defeat just hangin' around
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
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.
You dont have to sit in the dark with your eyes closed to realize this is a pretty straightforward song in which Jim talks about the more romanticized aspects of being an outlaw with a heart.
listen to this one after midnight and you'll understand it. it has to be dark, and you need to be open to hearing it. it works best with your eyes closed. such a darn beautiful song.
Simply amazing. So very haunting and beautiful.