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.
All the lonely nights I spend alone
Never 'round to love me
You're always gone
'Cause you're hangin' out
Breakin' the rules
Oh, the man has come
Lookin' for you
You're a rebel now
Don't give a damn
Always carrying on
With the gang
I'm tryin' to tell ya, boy
It's a mistake
You won't realize
'Til it's too late
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Black cat, nine lives
Short days, long nights
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat, real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
You're so together, boy
But just at a glance
You'll do anything
If given the chance
Scheming, planning lies
To get what you need
So full of promises
That you never keep
Don't you tell yourself
That it's okay
Sick and tired of
All of your games
And you want me to stay
Aw, better change
Makes no sense to me
Your crazy ways
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Not afraid to die, guitar
Black cat
Black cat
Man, I don't understand your ways
Livin' on the edge
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
(Fellas) black cat, nine lives
Short days, long nights
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die (talking about me)
Heart beat real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die (sing it up)
Black cats, nine lives
Short days, long nights (yeah, yeah)
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die (no, don't don't die)
Heart beat real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
Black cats
Livin' on the
Heartbeat
Better watch your step
Never 'round to love me
You're always gone
'Cause you're hangin' out
Breakin' the rules
Oh, the man has come
Lookin' for you
You're a rebel now
Don't give a damn
Always carrying on
With the gang
I'm tryin' to tell ya, boy
It's a mistake
You won't realize
'Til it's too late
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Black cat, nine lives
Short days, long nights
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die
Heart beat, real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
You're so together, boy
But just at a glance
You'll do anything
If given the chance
Scheming, planning lies
To get what you need
So full of promises
That you never keep
Don't you tell yourself
That it's okay
Sick and tired of
All of your games
And you want me to stay
Aw, better change
Makes no sense to me
Your crazy ways
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
Not afraid to die, guitar
Black cat
Black cat
Man, I don't understand your ways
Livin' on the edge
Don't understand
Why you insist
On ways of living such a dangerous life
Time after time, you stay away
And I just know that you're telling me lies
(Fellas) black cat, nine lives
Short days, long nights
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die (talking about me)
Heart beat real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die (sing it up)
Black cats, nine lives
Short days, long nights (yeah, yeah)
Livin' on the edge
Not afraid to die (no, don't don't die)
Heart beat real strong
But not for long
Better watch your step
Or you're gonna die
Black cats
Livin' on the
Heartbeat
Better watch your step
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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a classic song. i believe this is about janet's first husband james, but i'm not sure.
it is about being in a relationship with someone who looks for the thrills in life. he goes out at night trying to live it up by breaking the law. he lives by his own rules like a stray black cat.
i believe the nine lives symbolize the risk of getting caught. everytime he does something illegal, he loses a life and the "man" gets ever closer to catching him. he probably lives for the adrenaline rush of almost getting caught. he may also partake in things that could get him killed literally if he's not careful (drugs, violence, etc.). all the while, she's convincing herself that she needs to get out of the relationship before things get carried away.