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.
What's the furthest place from here?
It hasn't been my day for a couple years.
What's a couple more?
And if I go, don't forget the one good thing I almost did.
I learned your name without words.
I used my eyes, not my hands.
What's the closest you can come to an almost total wreck and still walk away,
All limbs intact?
And when I go, you'll be there crying out, begging me.
I won't hear.
I'll just go fast into this night on broken legs.
A near miss or a close call?
I keep a room at the hospital.
I scratch my accidents into the wall.
I couldn't wait to breathe your breath.
I cut in line,
I bled to death.
I got to you, there was nothing left.
What's the meanest you can be to the one you claim to love
And still smile to your new found friends?
In the same confusing breath,
You pull away and draw me in.
I wanted you. You wanted more.
I built this life and now it's mine.
It hasn't been my day for a couple years.
What's a couple more?
And if I go, don't forget the one good thing I almost did.
I learned your name without words.
I used my eyes, not my hands.
What's the closest you can come to an almost total wreck and still walk away,
All limbs intact?
And when I go, you'll be there crying out, begging me.
I won't hear.
I'll just go fast into this night on broken legs.
A near miss or a close call?
I keep a room at the hospital.
I scratch my accidents into the wall.
I couldn't wait to breathe your breath.
I cut in line,
I bled to death.
I got to you, there was nothing left.
What's the meanest you can be to the one you claim to love
And still smile to your new found friends?
In the same confusing breath,
You pull away and draw me in.
I wanted you. You wanted more.
I built this life and now it's mine.
Lyrics submitted by emoJustin
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
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
I guess I'm the only one, but I hear the lyrics to this song and assume it's about a suicide attempt and not the first one as the subject is prone to "accidents" and keeps a room at the hospital. "I cut in line, I bled to death" I feel is a literal line, not figurative as in cut in a line on his wrist.
this is an incredible song. Jawbreaker's lyrics are some of the best out there
yah totally agree, awesome imagery
i like this song and jawbreakers awesum but im dum i wish i knew wut the lyrics 2 this 1 meant
@tallman_al He's comparing the end of a relationship to a car accident.
Geesh, great song. I get the beginning not so much the end. Basically this guy isn't happy with his life, and he gets into lots of accidents but maybe they aren't accidents. But he finds a girl he likes, and he loves her but something is wrong. I can't figure out what. She's either too good for him or maybe she's seen him torture hisself and it tears her up inside. So theres nothing left in her. Maybe his actions pushed her over the edge and now he has to go on living even though he's the one who never wanted to. We need someone smarter in here to figure this one out.
Yeah this is one of the hardest songs I've ever tryed to figure out. i think is sorta about him being far to emotionally invovled with everything and every little relationship he gets into takes something out of him emotionally. By the time he finds the girl he really loves so much stuff has happened to him, he has nothing left to give her but all his issues, and confusion
mabey i can help. he has reached rock bottom, he feels that he has nothing left to live for and that he has truly givin his heart away to someone who he thought would understand all the shit he has been through. he is so mentaly react up that he keeps going back the hopital but they can never find out what is wrong with him. he loved this girl very much, but it was to late, he found out that he could do somthing more in his life then tend to her. the song goes through a time when he felt like he would bled without her to realizing that she isn't the only thing he lives for. this song is truly beautiful.
Actually if you guys would have listened to the live album then you would know its about a "scary time we had last winter" at least thats what they said.
Actually if you guys would have listened to the live album then you would know its about a "scary time we had last winter" at least thats what they said.
Actually if you guys would have listened to the live album then you would know its about a "scary time we had last winter" at least thats what they said.