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.
Hear me, speaking
Asking why I even bother
Tell me, how you
Live from day to day
Take your time and look around
Is this utopia you've found
Sick of all of this
The suffering and we just carry on
Isn't it time we care and lose the hate
Understand our fears
But we do all that we can
Justify the means to an end
Sorry you must excuse me
I've painted my own Mona Lisa
She's fixed everything
Now I'm spoiled beyond my wildest dreams
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Take the streets, the beaten path
Our system works for whom I ask
Yeah I have it all
The bigger house
An iron fence to keep you out
When did we all let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Our human spirit drowns
Don't think you hear me now
No sign of you around
What is it you hope to see
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Give us something we can use
Desirable
Cause you've done all you can do
Regrettable
And still life pushes on
With or without you
We've got to carry on
Our will, will guide us to
A place where we belong
Know there lies the truth
I am the believer who gives purpose on to you
I don't think we let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Throw us a pure lifeline
I hope that you hear me
Too proud to be around
There's more to us than we see now
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Self ignorance, abuse
Desirable
Cause you've done all you can do
Incredible
Asking why I even bother
Tell me, how you
Live from day to day
Take your time and look around
Is this utopia you've found
Sick of all of this
The suffering and we just carry on
Isn't it time we care and lose the hate
Understand our fears
But we do all that we can
Justify the means to an end
Sorry you must excuse me
I've painted my own Mona Lisa
She's fixed everything
Now I'm spoiled beyond my wildest dreams
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Take the streets, the beaten path
Our system works for whom I ask
Yeah I have it all
The bigger house
An iron fence to keep you out
When did we all let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Our human spirit drowns
Don't think you hear me now
No sign of you around
What is it you hope to see
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Give us something we can use
Desirable
Cause you've done all you can do
Regrettable
And still life pushes on
With or without you
We've got to carry on
Our will, will guide us to
A place where we belong
Know there lies the truth
I am the believer who gives purpose on to you
I don't think we let you down
So come Messiah show us how how
Throw us a pure lifeline
I hope that you hear me
Too proud to be around
There's more to us than we see now
Blind faith we have in you
Invisible
Which direction do we choose
Predictable
Self ignorance, abuse
Desirable
Cause you've done all you can do
Incredible
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.
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
My interpretation of this song is that, near the beginning, the speaker is questioning whether or not a person's material posessions can really make them happy, and also what the point is in living a useless life only centered around material things. As the song progresses, however, the speaker is also questioning the true usefulness and truthfulness of the christian faith, which is, in reality, very vague and unproven. He is asking why a Messiah with so much power and goodness cannot simply show himself to us and prove his existance, as that would most likely be the key to solving humanity's many deficiencies. Nearer the end he is stating that to find true peace, one must look to themselves for guidance, and that without people to worship and believe in God, God cannot exist. Overall, I think it's a very underated song, and very well thought out lyrically. Of course it has some great instrumentals too, but then again, that's Dream Theater.
\m/ DREAM THEATER \M/
I totally agree with shidesha, seeing as how people will go to church, wear a cross, but not act out their faith.
Also, the line I've painted my own Mona Lisa i believe talks of how he has made his own utopia, or everything perfect, since the Mona Lisa is considered to be the best piece of art painted, thus saying that he has achieved a perfect state, or his own happy place
As for religion bashing...why? I mean heck go read 1 Corinthians 9-11....that is what christianity is all about, so go and eduacte yourselves first.
Faith is the Belief in things unseen, and being sure of what you hope for. Faith is knowing that God has proven His character to us in the past, and will fulfill His promises to us. Sometimes you just have to trust Him without understanding, but that doesn't mean that it's without reason.
I really appreciated this song, because it really paints a picture of the intense struggle it is to allow ourselves to humbly accept the simplicity of what God has done for us.
We've painted our own Mona Lisa's, our own picture of what we want reality to be, what we want God to be to us. But we neglect what He's already done for us. We want him to come down and fix things for us, but because of our pride, we forget that He already has, but he places the responsiblity of choosing to do what He tells us to do on our shoulders.
We want to rely on that 'blind faith' so we don't have to think about how much responsiblity is actually entrusted to us. God has called us to be His servant, his Children, and His friend. He calls us to understand Him through his Word, and make sure that you're not the only one who understands. It's a lot of responsibility, and you face a lot of hardship and scorn from others because of it. =)
Often times I have created that Glass Prison myself, so that I could show my Blind Faith off without truly understanding that my faith is internal and humble, not a showcase to others. It's God who is on display, not my on piety.
heh... I'm not sure how I found this page, but ya.
Long live DT.
well said doomsoldier, i totally agree, and i'm sure many others do, nothing else can be added
\m/ definately a very underated song
Its about the Stupid Christians in Christianity. There are 2 types of Christians Stupid ones and smart ones, I am a smart one, this one is about the stupid ones which give you answers to questions such as "Trust in God" which isnt really an answer at all it is more of a order or command. There are smart people amung us Christians though.
nah they're all stupid like you
nah they're all stupid like you
Miek, you slack-jawed junkslut, ignorance is not an excuse for stupidity; and yet you seem to be full up on both.
doomsoldier makes some excellent points, and I agree that it is an underrated song. I'd go step by step on it, but it's late, and he pegged most of my points. Maybe tomorrow.
Noah, Duke of West Chester
true, but religion is an excuse for stupidity
idiot. I LOVE people who jump on the popular band wagon of paying out religion simply because they dont understand it and have no desire to. sarcasm These songs could teach you alot with the correct references.