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.
Say whatever you have to say, I'll stand by you.
Do whatever you have to do, to get it out and not become a reactionary
To hurt the ones you love you know you never meant to but you do
Oh yeah you do
Be whoever you have to be, I won't judge you
Sing whatever you have to sing to get it out and not become a recluse
about your house, come out
I know you never meant to but you do
Oh but you do
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
And take whatever you have to take, you know I love ya
Come however you have to come, and get it out and get it out
Take it out on me, take it out on me
I'll give it you all, I give it you all,I give it
I give you all I give it you all, yes I will give it you all
'Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
Oh yes I will, I will give it you all
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need that heart, because you're always in the right places.
Do whatever you have to do, to get it out and not become a reactionary
To hurt the ones you love you know you never meant to but you do
Oh yeah you do
Be whoever you have to be, I won't judge you
Sing whatever you have to sing to get it out and not become a recluse
about your house, come out
I know you never meant to but you do
Oh but you do
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
And take whatever you have to take, you know I love ya
Come however you have to come, and get it out and get it out
Take it out on me, take it out on me
I'll give it you all, I give it you all,I give it
I give you all I give it you all, yes I will give it you all
'Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need your heart, because you're always in the right places
Oh yes I will, I will give it you all
Still I need your sway, because you always pay for it
And I, and I need your soul because you're always soulful
And I and I need that heart, because you're always in the right places.
Lyrics submitted by FarrarLikesMusic
Sway Lyrics as written by Luke Pritchard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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i dont think this is necessarily about a girl.
i just think its about a person they care about deeply.
they are saying that they need to do what needs to be done. and whatever that is they will stand by them and support them, even though it could be hurtful.
i think "i need your sway/cause you always pay for it" is just saying that a lot more people should have the courage to just let things out even though we sometimes have to pay for it. ------that he wishes he had that ability to just say whats on his mind.
and so on and so forth.