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.
The amateur camera captures her motion perfectly.
As the strangle knot that she wears on her wrists.
The trunk preserves the new scent of the princess skin.
Disinfectant spit adding luster to chapped lips.
If she comes to, I'll tell her that she's beautiful.
All thses flies are gathered in admiration.
Perhaps we should offer them a new wound.
I think you're right, this isn't really happening.
This isn't really happening.
Can't get the smell out, can't get the mascara off the apolstry.
Oh, this isn't really happening, this isn't really happening.
Still everyone keeps laughing at me.
Oh god, this is going to end badly.
If you don't wake up, I'll have to stop kissing you.
All that flailing has made you sleepy.
You rest while I untie you, wait here until they find you.
We've got some time before the reverie ends.
I've combed my hair, brought you your Sunday dress.
Tonight we'll magnetize the eyes of this whole town.
My hand made mannequin.
I won't let them get you.
They'll know you're mine by the fingerprints on your throat.
Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Like the whores that we are, swatting flies from the wounds we design.
This is not about fear.
Paranoia is a disease of the unarmed.
This is beauty.
A sickening concern for the transience of flesh.
We keep our screams behind the gag.
I keep my baby's breath in a Glad bag.
As the strangle knot that she wears on her wrists.
The trunk preserves the new scent of the princess skin.
Disinfectant spit adding luster to chapped lips.
If she comes to, I'll tell her that she's beautiful.
All thses flies are gathered in admiration.
Perhaps we should offer them a new wound.
I think you're right, this isn't really happening.
This isn't really happening.
Can't get the smell out, can't get the mascara off the apolstry.
Oh, this isn't really happening, this isn't really happening.
Still everyone keeps laughing at me.
Oh god, this is going to end badly.
If you don't wake up, I'll have to stop kissing you.
All that flailing has made you sleepy.
You rest while I untie you, wait here until they find you.
We've got some time before the reverie ends.
I've combed my hair, brought you your Sunday dress.
Tonight we'll magnetize the eyes of this whole town.
My hand made mannequin.
I won't let them get you.
They'll know you're mine by the fingerprints on your throat.
Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Like the whores that we are, swatting flies from the wounds we design.
This is not about fear.
Paranoia is a disease of the unarmed.
This is beauty.
A sickening concern for the transience of flesh.
We keep our screams behind the gag.
I keep my baby's breath in a Glad bag.
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
This song enchantingly describes the sheer panic (That I know You and I both have felt on more than one occasion) that sets in after you've realized, but not totally come to grips with, the fact that you have accidently suffocated your lover after binding and gaging her and placing her in your trunk for safekeeping. The lyrics evoke a twisted sympathy for the narrator, yet retain a coal-black sense of humor regarding the messy situation.