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.
On the corner of Main Street
Just tryna keep it in line
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm fallin' behind
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
I never really gave up on
Breakin' out of this two-star town
I got the green light, I got a little fight
I'm gonna turn this thing around
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The good old days, the honest man
The restless heart, the Promised Land
A subtle kiss that no one sees
A broken wrist and a big trapeze
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you go
Can you read my mind?
It's funny how you just break down
Waitin' on some sign
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soakin' my spine
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The teenage queen, the loaded gun
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One
A southern drawl, a world unseen
A city wall and a trampoline
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you jump
Tell me what you find
Can you read my mind?
Slippin' in my faith until I fall
He never returned that call
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting
I wanna breathe that fire again
She said, "I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine"
Put your back on me, put your back on me
Put your back on me
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds
Cut out of the sun
Can you read my mind?
Just tryna keep it in line
You say you wanna move on and
You say I'm fallin' behind
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
I never really gave up on
Breakin' out of this two-star town
I got the green light, I got a little fight
I'm gonna turn this thing around
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The good old days, the honest man
The restless heart, the Promised Land
A subtle kiss that no one sees
A broken wrist and a big trapeze
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you go
Can you read my mind?
It's funny how you just break down
Waitin' on some sign
I pull up to the front of your driveway
With magic soakin' my spine
Can you read my mind?
Can you read my mind?
The teenage queen, the loaded gun
The drop dead dream, the Chosen One
A southern drawl, a world unseen
A city wall and a trampoline
Oh well, I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine
Before you jump
Tell me what you find
Can you read my mind?
Slippin' in my faith until I fall
He never returned that call
Woman, open the door, don't let it sting
I wanna breathe that fire again
She said, "I don't mind if you don't mind
'Cause I don't shine if you don't shine"
Put your back on me, put your back on me
Put your back on me
The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds
Cut out of the sun
Can you read my mind?
Lyrics submitted by foldsbaldwin
Read My Mind Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think jessden did a good job breaking it down, but I don't think its quite that positive. Think Mr. Brightside... seems positive, until you realize the lyrics are pretty negative. Killers do the same thing here. This guy is DESPARATE! He wants to feel that fire again. She doesn't. He's trying anything. The end is almost rambling... but if you read it, and realize you don't know who is saying what, its kinda negative...and very desparate.... He's not supporting her, as much as he's begging her to stay...or have him go with her... anything...
Slippin in my faith until I fall You never returned that call woman, open the door don't let it sting I wanna breathe that fire again (this part is total desparation...he wants to feel that spark, that interest again. Open the door... He believes in this (faith) even if it wrecks him (fall).
She said I don't mind if you don't mind coz I don't shine if you don't shine put your back on me put your back on me put your back on me
But this gets pretty sad if you read it.,.... She doesn't really mind (meaning doesn't care.) what is in his head... cuz she isn't going to shine if he doesn't shine... (which he hasn't done...going back to the beginning about him SAYING he is going to leave, but never does). Basically, she's kind of giving up on him....cuz he's not all he said he would be. And she doesn't want to go into his mind or all that any more.
Basically her answer is, I don't care what you think or say anymore, cuz I'll never shine if you stay a dreamer in a small town. So no.
Then someone says.."Put your back on me" over and over... and I'm thinking its him. She's just broken it off, and he's not the one, so he is just pleading, give me a chance...put your back on me, and I'll take YOU places.... Very emotional... Very desparate..(and its how he sings the song as well).
Last line is kinda like Mr. Brighside, where you have basically just given in, and things move on... Stars are blazing like rebel diamonds etc... The guy is a dreamer and he's gone back to dreaming...or being very depressed....
I really think this song is pretty dark. Maybe not, but Killers like their songs with multiple meanings, (pop sound, but then edgy even morose undertone). Read my mind falls into that perfectly...