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.
first time in the back yard
underneath the plastic sheeting
otside it was pouring
and we were drunk as shit
next time at a party
when all our friends were there
there is nothing like bare mattresses
underneath the stairs
third time in a doorway
with the lights all on around us
and the audience beside us
and your man watching from the trees
fourth time i said that's that
you've agreed to give me everything
now i've got to ask you one more thing
keep doing that forever
fifth time in your bedroom
when finally we rested
and you leaned upon your elbow
and began to speak to me
but you stopped yourself and kissed me
and i grabbed your wrist and told you
i know, i know, i know
i feel the same as you
and every day it's changed since then
in every way i've changed since then
driven outside
and driven in
underneath the plastic sheeting
otside it was pouring
and we were drunk as shit
next time at a party
when all our friends were there
there is nothing like bare mattresses
underneath the stairs
third time in a doorway
with the lights all on around us
and the audience beside us
and your man watching from the trees
fourth time i said that's that
you've agreed to give me everything
now i've got to ask you one more thing
keep doing that forever
fifth time in your bedroom
when finally we rested
and you leaned upon your elbow
and began to speak to me
but you stopped yourself and kissed me
and i grabbed your wrist and told you
i know, i know, i know
i feel the same as you
and every day it's changed since then
in every way i've changed since then
driven outside
and driven in
Lyrics submitted by kamanaka
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Miss Misery -
when asked to comment about what this song means to you, you respond. "i think this song is bad"
did you happen to notice the name of this site is SongMeanings? not EveryoneCaresIfYouLikeThisSong.
next time if you don't have something nice to say, keep it to your self. we are all aware there are people out there that don't like certain types of music, we come here to talk about things we like.
anyway, this song is incredible. the progression, the lyrics are genius.
And i think everyone is underestimating how much they like each other. "everyday its changed since then/in everyway I've changed since then" Wow those are some powerful words for just a like. I definitely think this song is about 2 friends who realize they are meant to be.
this song kind of describes what's happening to me like right now.. except we're only on the third time.. and I'm not sure if he likes me back.
@becca159 so, did s/he?
I used to think this song was about the first five times two friends have sex... but now that i think about it it's probably about the first five times they kiss or make out. At first its just impulse, they are drunk as shit... then it happens again and again until they realize that they love each other and nothng else matters... Then at the end, "when finally we rested" is when all that sexual tension comes out and they have sex.
I still dont know what they mean by "driven outside and driven in" I love this song!! Stars are awesome
First five times you have sex . . .
aww, it's like friends with benefits but the two people really do like each other. so the fifth time she tells him that he likes her, and he feels the same. now they're in a real relationship.
the intro is like my favorite thing ever.
i think thatonegirl is right.. its completely about two people who are friends with benefits but then realize how crazy they are about eachother. I listen to it and smile and wish it was me lol.
this song makes me happy. Because, it's so innocent even though it's about something completely un-innocent.
this song is beautiful as the dream of love it portrays.
what do you think the "driven outside/and driven in" part is referring to?
I think the "driven outside/ and driven in" part is the relationship game. Relationships go through that period where they drive each other away, and then draw each other back in.