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.
When I heard about the coming day
Wish I could wake up from the dream
In it I see a family photographed
And there you are, tucked in the scene
And there's a jealous net inside my chest
There's a hurt and sadness there
Maybe I'd tell you all about it
I thought you'd care
Heavy heart gets lighter by your side
But there are thoughts I wish I'd heard
And if they ask you how I'm holding up
Say I'm holding out for the words
What's the sense in being so sensitive?
Can I trade this thin skin for a shell?
Well there are some things I've got no feeling about
But there are some things I can tell
Heavy heart get lighter by yourself
It's been so long since you capsized
And you've been lying out there in the sun
Has it begun? Has it begun?
Heavy heart, have you heard?
That I could use the words
Wish I could wake up from the dream
In it I see a family photographed
And there you are, tucked in the scene
And there's a jealous net inside my chest
There's a hurt and sadness there
Maybe I'd tell you all about it
I thought you'd care
Heavy heart gets lighter by your side
But there are thoughts I wish I'd heard
And if they ask you how I'm holding up
Say I'm holding out for the words
What's the sense in being so sensitive?
Can I trade this thin skin for a shell?
Well there are some things I've got no feeling about
But there are some things I can tell
Heavy heart get lighter by yourself
It's been so long since you capsized
And you've been lying out there in the sun
Has it begun? Has it begun?
Heavy heart, have you heard?
That I could use the words
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