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.
Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh, and breathe them deep into your lungs
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings
Playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
So hold this feeling like a new born
Of freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, the fire and the rain
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game
Called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer, oh
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
'cause you've been listening for answers
Oh, but the city screams and all your dreams go unheard
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer, oh
Yeah, get out of the box and step into the clear, oh
'cause now you finally know you can steer
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh, and breathe them deep into your lungs
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings
Playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
So hold this feeling like a new born
Of freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, the fire and the rain
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game
Called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer, oh
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
'cause you've been listening for answers
Oh, but the city screams and all your dreams go unheard
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer, oh
Yeah, get out of the box and step into the clear, oh
'cause now you finally know you can steer
Lyrics submitted by vingklippt
Steer Lyrics as written by Melissa Higgins
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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what an inspirational song. I think it's about how you are in control of life. You're not at the mercy of life's circumstances, because you are the one that creates those circumstances. You are the master of your own life.
That's what I get out of it anyway.
Love it.
"I spent a lot of time in Broome, which is in western Australia, and it's so far away from the city that the sky, at night, is just filled with stars. This one night, I was standing on the beach , and it was such a clear night that it just really made me feel tiny, in the grand scheme of things. Everything was just in perspective all of a sudden and I almost stepped outside my body and could just see how small I am, and how insignificant all these things i've been worrying about for so long are. I decided to kind of take more control of my life, because we've only got a short time, on earth."
Missy said this about the song, and I love this song, it really is all about taking control of your life and knowing that you are able to do what you want with it!
Yep, jlawson, that's exactly what I get too. :) Good song. It's nice to hear that Missy's back.
totally agree... can't wait for her new album to be released! This song gives the impression that it's going to be a more upbeat album compared to the sound of white.
It's pretty much saying that you control your life, like jlawson, was saying. I love missy higgins and I'm glad that she's back :)
Well to me the song means that your finally moving on from the grieving process after getting out of a really serious relationship. Things are looking up and your starting to see all the really good opportunities out there and you life doesn’t seem to be so stuck. Compared to the last album, which is mainly about the breakup it seems quite fitting that the second is about seeing the world starting to open up in front of you. I love missy Higgins and I can’t wait for her new album!!! I think I may actually camp outside the music shop the day before its released lol
Well this song is so incredibly where i am at now... completely coming to accept what has happened in the past and now feeling like you finally have the freedom from your thoughts that you can take control... and even though you may have wanted something to happen in the past and everybody said no it finally makes sense that it wasnt right and you can move on and take on anything.
If you watch the music video for this song, she is constantly doing the same thing, driving the way they instruct her. and in the end she does it her own way and she's smiling and she seems happy.
I personally think she's saying that you can direct your life the way you want it to go and you'll be much happier doing that then following orders.
i am a really big fan of Missy Higgins and loved her first album, however this song is a dissapointment and i just feel when she things it she sounds like she is whinging. It's a real let down.