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.
Anybody's dream can fall apart
Anybody's mask can break
Couldn't tell you how I wanted you
Enough to make you want to stay
I never said the words out loud
I guess I couldn't get 'em straight
Baby, give me one more chance
Before you walk away
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Oh baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Everytime I take it to the edge
Everytime I'm so afraid
Don't you know I cry my eyes out, babe
Everytime you look away
Oh, I almost dropped a tear
But I caught it just in time
I'd say those things you want to hear
If you'd help me, help me, help me try
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
Tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Well, I don't want to hide away
Hide away without you, baby
Don't you go and run away
Come and help me, baby
Just a little help, baby
Oh, my little baby
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah it's only only only only only, only only only
My heart talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's my heart that does the talkin'
Talkin' to you
Ah talkin' to you
Anybody's mask can break
Couldn't tell you how I wanted you
Enough to make you want to stay
I never said the words out loud
I guess I couldn't get 'em straight
Baby, give me one more chance
Before you walk away
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Oh baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Everytime I take it to the edge
Everytime I'm so afraid
Don't you know I cry my eyes out, babe
Everytime you look away
Oh, I almost dropped a tear
But I caught it just in time
I'd say those things you want to hear
If you'd help me, help me, help me try
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
Tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
Well, I don't want to hide away
Hide away without you, baby
Don't you go and run away
Come and help me, baby
Just a little help, baby
Oh, my little baby
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Sayin' things I never thought I'd say
Can't you hear me knocking
I tried to fool you but it wouldn't play
'Cause my heart it's talkin', it's talkin'
Baby, it's talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah, it's only, only, only, only my heart talkin'
Yeah it's only only only only only, only only only
My heart talkin'
Talkin' to you
It's my heart that does the talkin'
Talkin' to you
Ah talkin' to you
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
sounds very much like an Aerosmith song.. wonder why.. :p I think the song is great. it's about all the things you've got inside you but never say out loud even though you so badly wish you could.
Steve Tyler's back ups at the end are great.