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.
Locked in a room with a sink and a broom
And the walls are all white
But you think it's alright
'Cause a wonderful picture of a bridge
Which is covered in frost
And a man comes a cross
Locked in a room that is nothing but walls
And you search for a chair
But there's nothing at all
And the one thing you find when you look at the floor
Is a key, but there isn't a door
Now that you're locked in a room
There is room to assume
You are there for a cause
You're not sure what it was
When you're locked in a room
Locked within a room of memory
Locked within a room you stand
Locked up away with no light of day
Locked in a room you begin
To find your way out
You find your way in
Locked in a room with your memory far
You don't know where it is
But you know where you are
In the dark of a room with a wall out of which
Comes a lamp, but there isn't a switch
Locked in a room it is small it is not
It is empty and cold so you fill it with thoughts
Of a wonderful nature, and various sizes you doubt
You could think your way out
Now that the room 'cause you're locked
And the moon is not lock and nobody's speaking
The silence is ticking
When you're locked in a room
Locked within a room of memory
Locked within a room you stand
Locked up away with no light of day
Locked in the room you begin
To find your way out
You find your way in
To find your way out
You find your way in
Locked in a room with a sink and a broom
And the walls are all white
But you think it's alright
'Cause a wonderful picture of a bridge
Which is covered in frost
And a man comes across
And a man comes across
Comes across
And the walls are all white
But you think it's alright
'Cause a wonderful picture of a bridge
Which is covered in frost
And a man comes a cross
Locked in a room that is nothing but walls
And you search for a chair
But there's nothing at all
And the one thing you find when you look at the floor
Is a key, but there isn't a door
Now that you're locked in a room
There is room to assume
You are there for a cause
You're not sure what it was
When you're locked in a room
Locked within a room of memory
Locked within a room you stand
Locked up away with no light of day
Locked in a room you begin
To find your way out
You find your way in
Locked in a room with your memory far
You don't know where it is
But you know where you are
In the dark of a room with a wall out of which
Comes a lamp, but there isn't a switch
Locked in a room it is small it is not
It is empty and cold so you fill it with thoughts
Of a wonderful nature, and various sizes you doubt
You could think your way out
Now that the room 'cause you're locked
And the moon is not lock and nobody's speaking
The silence is ticking
When you're locked in a room
Locked within a room of memory
Locked within a room you stand
Locked up away with no light of day
Locked in the room you begin
To find your way out
You find your way in
To find your way out
You find your way in
Locked in a room with a sink and a broom
And the walls are all white
But you think it's alright
'Cause a wonderful picture of a bridge
Which is covered in frost
And a man comes across
And a man comes across
Comes across
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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