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.
There's a reflection that's so hard to see
Reflections in water of what you could be
A wave crashes over
Tides pull you under
If you've ever wondered why you barely breathe
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
As you grow older
you've lived through a war
Before you know it the eyes of a storm
Will rain upon you
Not like you ever knew
No like you've never seen
Like never before
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all of the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
These ugly places I don't want you to see
These smiling faces I don't want you to meet
Your heart's extended out
They'll try and tear it out
You'll never be without
The love that's between you and me
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all of the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
Learn on your own
Learn on your own somehow
Reflections in water of what you could be
A wave crashes over
Tides pull you under
If you've ever wondered why you barely breathe
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
As you grow older
you've lived through a war
Before you know it the eyes of a storm
Will rain upon you
Not like you ever knew
No like you've never seen
Like never before
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all of the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
These ugly places I don't want you to see
These smiling faces I don't want you to meet
Your heart's extended out
They'll try and tear it out
You'll never be without
The love that's between you and me
All of the ways I wish that I could've shown you
All of the things that I want you to know right now
All the ways I wish I could protect you
From all of the things that you'll learn on your own somehow
Learn on your own
Learn on your own somehow
Lyrics submitted by x_melancholy_x
On Your Own Lyrics as written by John Bunch Chris Evenson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I use to think of this song in terms of a romantic relationship... But the more I thought about the lyrics, the more I feel like this song is about a teaching relationship... closer to parent/child.
My mother passed away almost 5 years ago and this song almost always brings tears to my eyes when I imagine her saying these words to me. It all really fits.
I love this song
This song is so beautiful. It's self-explanitory, imo.
I learned of the song from the Uptown Girls OST and I fell in love with it. I think the song is about losing a person and then you realised how much that person mean to you and you are regretting that you could have shown that person how you really felt, if you did not lose him/her.
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