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.
I'd set your heart on fire
but arson is no way
to make a love burn brighter.
(When you saw me, on that first day
said I'd blossom under your care).
Always thought that the devil was the only one
who knew the ins and the outs of the ways of love,
so I sold off my heart to see how this would end,
now I can't move an inch for fear it will begin.
(Wrap me up tight inside your wing
Is it safe now, is it safe to breathe?)
You come in between me and the darkness,
please don't you ever leave.
(I force my eyes open, and now who has changed?
You look different, so different today)
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
You're the truest light I've known,
but someday I'll learn
I don't need your fuel to burn.
(I'm the one who decides who I am
I'm the one who will shed this old skin)
Always thought that hell was the only place
hot enough to melt our hearts into a locked embrace
There's something so safe about a lack of air
the only way to make sure that you'll always be there
(I force my eyes open, and now who has changed?
I feel different, so different today)
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
I'm gone, I'm gone, I'm gone, I'm gone
Don't you wanna?
Did you really change your mind?
Ain't you gotta?
Cause this fire is too bright.
Don't you wanna?
Could this be your only crime?
Ain't you gotta?
Did you really change your mind?
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
but arson is no way
to make a love burn brighter.
(When you saw me, on that first day
said I'd blossom under your care).
Always thought that the devil was the only one
who knew the ins and the outs of the ways of love,
so I sold off my heart to see how this would end,
now I can't move an inch for fear it will begin.
(Wrap me up tight inside your wing
Is it safe now, is it safe to breathe?)
You come in between me and the darkness,
please don't you ever leave.
(I force my eyes open, and now who has changed?
You look different, so different today)
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
You're the truest light I've known,
but someday I'll learn
I don't need your fuel to burn.
(I'm the one who decides who I am
I'm the one who will shed this old skin)
Always thought that hell was the only place
hot enough to melt our hearts into a locked embrace
There's something so safe about a lack of air
the only way to make sure that you'll always be there
(I force my eyes open, and now who has changed?
I feel different, so different today)
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
I'm gone, I'm gone, I'm gone, I'm gone
Don't you wanna?
Did you really change your mind?
Ain't you gotta?
Cause this fire is too bright.
Don't you wanna?
Could this be your only crime?
Ain't you gotta?
Did you really change your mind?
Holding your eyes in the hardest stare
running around like you wanted me there
Lookin' at me like I'm the hottest in town
then turnin' your back when you're movin' around
I ain't gonna listen to you no more
breakin' outta this place, throwin' open the door
Use me up just to fan the flame
but you'll be sony as I'm walkin' away
(Backwards, forwards, backwards going out of my mind,
Backwards, forwards, backwards spinning way off time
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out
Fire to water fire, baby baby putting me out)
Lyrics submitted by OwnPersonalDemon
Burn, Don't Freeze! Lyrics as written by Corin Lisa Tucker Carrie Rachel Brownstein
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This is my favorite Sleater-Kinney song!! I know what she means... sometimes you just don't want to let go. You want to keep love going and getting better, but you can't force someone to love no matter how. You could wish on it all you want and such, but in the end there's somethin wrong with the person you're with and you can't change the way they feel. It's weird, like one day they're okay, and then they're changed, and there's no plausible explanation. And they hesitate to tell you why, they might give you a bullshit answer. So you get pissed, but at the same time you think of how gfeat it was w/that person, and you have different feelings all the time. In the end though, it's over. And then you're too scared to fall in love agian for you know what it can do to you. So yes, big reminder of a relationship, but it's what the song's about.
dont like the last few lines at all.
anyway songwriter's always so scared, always forcing his eyes open. whatever you think she is (or you are) open your eyes, wake up and try to improve things or add better to already good.
i love this song so much.
I think its perfect
I love the opening line to this song.
i love this band to death
Awesome song, awesome band. The overlay of lyrics is great & makes it so that you really have to listen to it a few times before you grasp both sets of lyrics. This whole album rocks, one of my top 5 for sure.
these lyrics are So damn good. I would pick out lines but there are too many.
I have only recently discovered this band. I know I like the song but I haven't even looked at the lyrics yet.
I tend to sing along if i know a song, and I can never decide who to sing along with. This is one of my favorites of their songs.