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.
I was out paying close attention, or was I lost inside my thoughts?
These days it's hard to tell what's outside from what's in my mind
But, oh God, it's beautiful and insatiable the way our chemicals collide
I was out catching up to tomorrow, or was I caught up in the past?
These days it's hard to tell what's out in front from what's behind
But, oh God, it's unforgettable and unpredictable the way our chemicals collide
I was sleeping in the lilies, or was I up all night?
These days it's hard to tell what's half asleep from fully alive
We were loving like a landslide, or were we in a fight?
These days it's hard to tell what's right from wrong and wrong from right
And, oh God, it's beautiful and insatiable the way our chemicals collide
And, oh God, it's unforgettable and unpredictable the way our chemicals collide
These days it's hard to tell what's outside from what's in my mind
But, oh God, it's beautiful and insatiable the way our chemicals collide
I was out catching up to tomorrow, or was I caught up in the past?
These days it's hard to tell what's out in front from what's behind
But, oh God, it's unforgettable and unpredictable the way our chemicals collide
I was sleeping in the lilies, or was I up all night?
These days it's hard to tell what's half asleep from fully alive
We were loving like a landslide, or were we in a fight?
These days it's hard to tell what's right from wrong and wrong from right
And, oh God, it's beautiful and insatiable the way our chemicals collide
And, oh God, it's unforgettable and unpredictable the way our chemicals collide
Lyrics submitted by aphid360, edited by indstrlgal
Chemicals Collide - Live Lyrics as written by Craig Minowa
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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best song on the album, and it makes so much sense!
at first i thought he was talking about the chemicals of 2 people colliding but he's actually talking about subjectivity and consciousness (all the chemicals in your own brain colliding). how exciting! i love this song.
this song makes me feel incredible, i can't explain it.
I was sleeping in the lilies Or was I up all night These days it's hard to tell what's half asleep from fully alive
AWESOME TRUTH.
imo the prettiest song off the album. the last verse at least.
for all the music blog writers, this would be a good song to plug for blog action day.
drugs/chemicals
It's just a song about having someone there for you and how some days are good and some days are bad but you're so thankful for them being there with you. You can be mad at someone and you'll say you hate them or want to kill them, but you know, and more importantly, they know, that deep down you love them more than anything.
ryazbeck got it right.
I am pretty sure this song is in regards to the vocalists and on of the artists child.
"the way our chemicals collide" makes reference to their child. This is a very sad album indeed.
cloud cults lyrics get me every time