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'm an ocean in your bedroom
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Lyrics submitted by on_a_plain_11, edited by ProbeAway
Don't Forget Me Lyrics as written by John Frusciante Michael Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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By the Way is their greatest album to date! Lyric-wise is phenomenal and the depth of these songs musically is over the top. The song are played with such passion that I haven't been able to find on another rhcp album. I know a lot would argue that Stadium Arcadium is the best one, but I beg to differ. Yes Stadium Arcadium is obviously a masterpiece but it has something missing which is the great lyrics that were featured on By the Way. Now, I'm With You, I believe that is grand on the scale that is so much bigger than anything they ever done. Musically, the album takes you over a wide range of different musical stylings and the way it is composed and arranged would make anyone's heart melt. But call me old fashion, (not really, I'm only 18), By the Way is still one of the greatest piece of music I ever heard.
@khearts By The Way and Stadium Arcadium are my favourite albums :) I agree with you that lyrically, BTW comes out on top.