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.
Tonight we ride, right or wrong
Tonight we sail, on a radio song
Rescue me, should I go down
If I stay too long in trouble town
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
Now and again I get the feeling
Well if I don't win, I'm a gonna break even
Rescue me, should I go wrong
If I dig too deep, if I stay too long
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
I'll be the boy in the corduroy pants
You be the girl at the high school dance
Run with me wherever I go
And just play dumb, whatever you know
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
Tonight we sail, on a radio song
Rescue me, should I go down
If I stay too long in trouble town
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
Now and again I get the feeling
Well if I don't win, I'm a gonna break even
Rescue me, should I go wrong
If I dig too deep, if I stay too long
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
I'll be the boy in the corduroy pants
You be the girl at the high school dance
Run with me wherever I go
And just play dumb, whatever you know
Oh, yeah, you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
you wreck me, baby
You break me in two
But you move me, honey
Yes you do
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When i used to listen to this song as a little kid, i really loved it. But when the line "if i dont win im gonna break even" came around, i got really confused. For 4 years, i thought he was saying "well if i dont win, then i gonna play kitty litter."
WAS I OFF OR WHAT!?!?!? I thought that he meant he was gonna pout and felt so bad that he got into and played in a kitty litter box. Crazy huh?