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.
Face down in your hands, it's over
Pour a drink, we are no use sober
Take a shot or three then come with me
Past the point of insanity
Eyes up, don't be shy, look at me
It's not so scary down in hell, trust me
Up here is so much worse
I'm guessing this will hurt
And nothing ever really ends completely
This is not an exit
Self-medicated
And it's too late to fix it
Why would we want to?
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
I never thought that I would see the ending
But now it's happening, I see it on TV
Bury a friend or two just for something new
It doesn't mean that you'll never be happy
Is that feeling in your gut not leaving?
You say you're dead inside but feel like screaming
The end of everything
This is happening
Just don't pretend that it's at all surprising
This is not an answer
Self-medicated
We just keep spinning faster
Why would we want to?
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
All I want
Pour a drink, we are no use sober
Take a shot or three then come with me
Past the point of insanity
Eyes up, don't be shy, look at me
It's not so scary down in hell, trust me
Up here is so much worse
I'm guessing this will hurt
And nothing ever really ends completely
This is not an exit
Self-medicated
And it's too late to fix it
Why would we want to?
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
I never thought that I would see the ending
But now it's happening, I see it on TV
Bury a friend or two just for something new
It doesn't mean that you'll never be happy
Is that feeling in your gut not leaving?
You say you're dead inside but feel like screaming
The end of everything
This is happening
Just don't pretend that it's at all surprising
This is not an answer
Self-medicated
We just keep spinning faster
Why would we want to?
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
All I want is for the world to let me know
When it's my time
Lock the door when you watch me go
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
Didn't think to offer a lifeline
Didn't want to look into my mind
Didn't want to know that I'm not fine
All I want
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