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 don't know what I been livin' on
But it's not enough to fill me up
I need more than just words can say
I need everything this life can give me
'Cause sometimes it's not enough, ow
Come on baby close your eyes let go
This can be everything we've dreamed
It's not work, that makes it work on
Let the magic do the work for you
'Cause something reached out and touched me
Now I know all I want
I want the best of both worlds
And honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
We'd have heaven right here on earth, ow
Well, there's a picture in a gallery
Of a fallen angel looked a lot like you
We forget where we come from sometimes
I had a dream it was really you
Something reached out and touched me
Now I know all I want
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
A little bit o' heaven right here on earth, oh
Whoa, you don't have to die an' go to heaven
Or hang around to be born again
Just tune in to what this place has got to offer
'Cause we may never be here again, ow
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
A little heaven right here on earth, come on
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
We can have the best of both worlds
A little heaven right here on earth, yeah
Tell me, is it enough?
Now will it ever be enough?
But it's not enough to fill me up
I need more than just words can say
I need everything this life can give me
'Cause sometimes it's not enough, ow
Come on baby close your eyes let go
This can be everything we've dreamed
It's not work, that makes it work on
Let the magic do the work for you
'Cause something reached out and touched me
Now I know all I want
I want the best of both worlds
And honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
We'd have heaven right here on earth, ow
Well, there's a picture in a gallery
Of a fallen angel looked a lot like you
We forget where we come from sometimes
I had a dream it was really you
Something reached out and touched me
Now I know all I want
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
A little bit o' heaven right here on earth, oh
Whoa, you don't have to die an' go to heaven
Or hang around to be born again
Just tune in to what this place has got to offer
'Cause we may never be here again, ow
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
If we could have the best of both worlds
A little heaven right here on earth, come on
I want the best of both worlds
An' honey I know what it's worth
We can have the best of both worlds
A little heaven right here on earth, yeah
Tell me, is it enough?
Now will it ever be enough?
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion
Best of Both Worlds Lyrics as written by Alex Van Halen Edward Van Halen
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I believe it's about two people, and how they live their lives apart. The best of both worlds is the love they've found in each other, and not letting the rest of the world getting in the way. Most verses are about being close yet far apart, and they need to find what they want because its all their live's about.