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 don't want to fight
Every single night
Everything I want is in your eyes
You and me go back
To places I don't know to care
The spoils of all I got were left for scraps
Don't let me say this
But you're no worse than me
It's crazy
We are as real if real ever was
Just because we are the real, they feel we have enough
We are the real 'cause someone gave us up
I wanna be there when you're happy
I wanna love you when you're sad
Can't stand the morning rain?
Get out, I'll take your place then
Can't stand the blazing sun?
Then close your eyes, you'll see
The angel dust
I don't wanna be anything believed
A million watts of sound can't compare
Come along, you'll see the world
The pulse ripples, the crowd unfurls
The current starts to flow, and then you're on
Oh, it's the white hot soul they want
To sing for
We are the real if real ever was
Just because we are the ruin of every living soul
We are surreal 'cause someone gave us up
Don't break the oath
I wanna love you when you're happy
Don't break this oath
I wanna be there when you're sad
Freeze-frame the pouring rain
We are the real, as real as any ghost
So easy now
We are the real in every living soul
Oh don't they know?
Can't stand the blazing sun?
Can't stand the morning rain?
Ah, get out, I'll take your place again
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be alone, at all
If it's a white hot soul they want
Then a black heart they'll get
Every single night
Everything I want is in your eyes
You and me go back
To places I don't know to care
The spoils of all I got were left for scraps
Don't let me say this
But you're no worse than me
It's crazy
We are as real if real ever was
Just because we are the real, they feel we have enough
We are the real 'cause someone gave us up
I wanna be there when you're happy
I wanna love you when you're sad
Can't stand the morning rain?
Get out, I'll take your place then
Can't stand the blazing sun?
Then close your eyes, you'll see
The angel dust
I don't wanna be anything believed
A million watts of sound can't compare
Come along, you'll see the world
The pulse ripples, the crowd unfurls
The current starts to flow, and then you're on
Oh, it's the white hot soul they want
To sing for
We are the real if real ever was
Just because we are the ruin of every living soul
We are surreal 'cause someone gave us up
Don't break the oath
I wanna love you when you're happy
Don't break this oath
I wanna be there when you're sad
Freeze-frame the pouring rain
We are the real, as real as any ghost
So easy now
We are the real in every living soul
Oh don't they know?
Can't stand the blazing sun?
Can't stand the morning rain?
Ah, get out, I'll take your place again
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be alone, at all
If it's a white hot soul they want
Then a black heart they'll get
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
I still hate the album art, but this song is good. I hope for more goodness.