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.
Nobody knows
The trouble you feel
Nobody cares
The feelin' is real
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
Use the phone,
Call your mom
She's missing you badly,
Missing her son
Who do you know,
Where will you stay
Big city life
Is not what they say
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
That I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
You'd better go,
Everything's closed
Can't find a room,
Money's all blown
Nowhere to sleep,
Out in the cold
Nothing to eat,
Nowhere to go
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
That I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on home
Johnny
Won't you come on home
The trouble you feel
Nobody cares
The feelin' is real
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
Use the phone,
Call your mom
She's missing you badly,
Missing her son
Who do you know,
Where will you stay
Big city life
Is not what they say
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
That I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
You'd better go,
Everything's closed
Can't find a room,
Money's all blown
Nowhere to sleep,
Out in the cold
Nothing to eat,
Nowhere to go
Johnny,
We're sorry,
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on
What is wrong in my life
That I must get drunk every night
Johnny,
We're sorry
Won't you come on home
We worry,
Won't you come on home
Johnny
Won't you come on home
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just wanted say that i love the lines: "What is wrong in my life That I must get drunk every night "
My interpretation of the song is about the parents of a runaway child "Johnny" I believe the reason why Johnny runs away from home is because their is trouble at home. "What is wrong in my life that I must get drunk every night" one of the problems at home is that one or both of the parents is a alcoholic. Johnny thinks that life on the streets is a better way of living than being at home. Johnny's parents are insisting that things will change if and when he returns home.
I agree with bddrex. I have been a fan of this song for a while now & that is what I got out of the lyrics. I figure the father is an alcholic & beat up Johnny which is what caused Johnny to runaway & the father is trying to figure out what in his life was so bad that caused him to drink & do what he did.
Easy one this its about alcohol abuse.
Yes eric_m that is a great line!
It's about a runaway. The parents are so out of their minds with grief over their teen son's running away that they get smashed every night to deal with their sorrow
Define the 80's.
I also think this song is about a runaway. Whatever has gone down at "home" is unhealthy and the kid needed to leave home to be themselves and be safe. But the kid is too young to be on his/her own. The parents want the kid home so they can control him/her. They deal with the pain by drinking, OR the kid does.