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.
Breathe in for luck, breathe in so deep
This air is blessed, you share with me
This night is wild, so calm and dull
These hearts, they race, from self control
Your legs are smooth as they graze mine
We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all
My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me, so I die happy?
My heart is yours to fill or burst to break or bury
Or wear as jewelry, whichever you prefer
The words are hushed, let's not get busted
Just lay entwined here, undiscovered
Safe in here from all the stupid questions
"Hey, did you get some?" Man, that is so dumb
Stay quiet, stay near, stay close, they can't hear
So we can get some
My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me, so I die happy?
My heart is yours to fill or burst, to break or bury
Or wear as jewelry, whichever you prefer
Hands down, this is the best day I can
Ever remember, I'll always remember the sound
Of the stereo, the dim of the soft lights
The scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers
And the time on the clock when we realized it's so late
And this walk that we shared together
The streets were wet, and the gate was locked
So I jumped it and I let you in
And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
And you kissed me like you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it
That you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it
This air is blessed, you share with me
This night is wild, so calm and dull
These hearts, they race, from self control
Your legs are smooth as they graze mine
We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all
My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me, so I die happy?
My heart is yours to fill or burst to break or bury
Or wear as jewelry, whichever you prefer
The words are hushed, let's not get busted
Just lay entwined here, undiscovered
Safe in here from all the stupid questions
"Hey, did you get some?" Man, that is so dumb
Stay quiet, stay near, stay close, they can't hear
So we can get some
My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me
So won't you kill me, so I die happy?
My heart is yours to fill or burst, to break or bury
Or wear as jewelry, whichever you prefer
Hands down, this is the best day I can
Ever remember, I'll always remember the sound
Of the stereo, the dim of the soft lights
The scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers
And the time on the clock when we realized it's so late
And this walk that we shared together
The streets were wet, and the gate was locked
So I jumped it and I let you in
And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist
And you kissed me like you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it
That you meant it
And I knew that you meant it
That you meant it
Lyrics submitted by BrandNew1208
Hands Down Lyrics as written by Christopher Andrew Carrabba
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
like gleebs, i didnt really like this song too much when i first heard it (the only song by dbc), but now i listen to it nonstop.
Lost Messiah - Do you find comfort in degrading others music choice? What is your purpose in posting negative comments about music others enjoy? Does it make you feel as if you've accomplished somethign? Music is so diverse and there are so many different varities of music, you're not going to enjoy every genre of music. But, what is the purpose in degrading music others enjoy? To prove that you are feeble minded? Granted.
At any rate - I find this to be one of my favorite Dashboard songs. When I saw Dashboard live[Vagrant Tour], I believe he played Remember to Breathe, not Hands Down. Abeit, I may be wrong. This song strays from the heart break driven music, which I could relate to. I still like this ALOT, nonetheless.
this song describes "the best day" with someone incredible that ends with one amazing kiss. it perfectly depicts the nervous exhilaration that comes from spending a whole day with someone that you're into. one of those days where you do "nothing at all" all day, just hanging out with them is enough. a day worth remembering. the anticipation and excitement of being with this person just builds throughout the day because you know you're probably going to kiss 'em eventually, or get kissed, but you don't know when. "my hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me" refers to the inevitable kiss...you've thought about it so much that when it finally happens, it just may kill you. i don't think this song is necessarily about sex, it seems too complicated for this song. i think the simplicity of a first kiss with someone is enough to get the heart racing. the kiss doesn't happen until the end of the song and this perfect day; the kiss is the crescendo.
heres how i picture it, because it perfectly describes an amazing night i had.
"Breathe in for luck, breathe in so deep This air is blessed, you share with me" -smoking weed or cigarettes. breathing the same "blessed" air.
"This night is wild, so calm and dull These hearts they race from self control"
Your legs are smooth as they graze mine We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all -sitting close to eachother in someones house or outside, not doing anything, but being completely content with it.
"My hopes are so high that your kiss might kill me So won't you kill me, so I die happy?" -we have all felt this, wanting SO badly to kiss someone that you might just die when they do. sort of related back to the "hearts race from self control"
"My heart is yours to fill or burst, to break or bury Or wear as jewelery, whichever you prefer " -they have feelings so strong for the other person on a fun and wild night, but it doesnt matter if they break their heart, show it off or keep it because in that moment nothing could change how perfect it was.
"The words are hushed let's not get busted Just lay entwined here, undiscovered Safe in here from all the stupid questions "Hey did you get some?" . . . Man, that is so dumb Stay quiet, stay near, stay close they can't hear " So we can get some -hooking up somewhere in secret. nobody knows where they went, and they just want to get away from the other people and the dumb drama that comes along with them.
"Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember Always remember the sound of the stereo The dim of the soft lights, The scent of your hair that you twirled in your fingers And the time on the clock when we realized it's so late And this walk that we shared together The streets were wet and the gate was locked So I jumped it, and let you in And you stood at your door with your hands on my waist And you kissed me like you meant it And I knew that you meant it That you meant it, that you meant it I knew that you meant it, that you meant it" -last part is pretty self explanitory.
this song fits so well with a night i had. it always reminds me of it and puts the images right back in my head. love dashboard!!
this is such a good ep because it tells a story. this song is the end. it's nice to know guys care about all the little things too.
By far the best song on this EP.
at first, i didn't really like this song. i saw it live in july, and i just did not like it. but after seeing it again in november, and hearing it over and over again whilst i listened to my ep, it's become my favourite song on the ep overall. the last verse is just so indescribable. i don't know, i just connect so much with this song. it's crazy. i can't wait to see it live again.
i could listen to this song over and over and over again..
gleebs i agree with you. this song is deffinetly my favorite on the EP. the whole song tells a story....a story i can relate to perfectly! so i love it. his voice is so strong and i think this is one of his best songs yet. i think we should all get the new cd and listen to this song over and over again!
hehe.