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.
He and his wife have had problems
That he's played off like nothing's wrong
'Til he comes home from work early
Just to find the girl is gone
Oh, well he gets into the cupboard
Picks out that bottle of gin
Drinks like there's no tomorrow
And decides to take a spin
Oh, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Teenager at a live party
Says, "give me one for the road"
But he's already so inebriated
If you lit a smoke he'd explode
Oh, but bartender says, "I don't think so"
Young one says, "I can deal"
Staggering out he says, "Check y'all later"
But I really don't think he will
No, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Boy out with girl on their first date
Gets pulled over by the law
Officer says, "Hey can't you drive straight
Or have you been drinking alcohol?"
Boy says, "Man, are you crazy?"
Cop says, "Hey, then walk this line"
But results from the breathalyzer
Proves he's charged with D.U.I.
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Say it again
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
No, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't you drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Hey, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Oh, don't drive drunk
Oh, don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
That he's played off like nothing's wrong
'Til he comes home from work early
Just to find the girl is gone
Oh, well he gets into the cupboard
Picks out that bottle of gin
Drinks like there's no tomorrow
And decides to take a spin
Oh, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Teenager at a live party
Says, "give me one for the road"
But he's already so inebriated
If you lit a smoke he'd explode
Oh, but bartender says, "I don't think so"
Young one says, "I can deal"
Staggering out he says, "Check y'all later"
But I really don't think he will
No, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Boy out with girl on their first date
Gets pulled over by the law
Officer says, "Hey can't you drive straight
Or have you been drinking alcohol?"
Boy says, "Man, are you crazy?"
Cop says, "Hey, then walk this line"
But results from the breathalyzer
Proves he's charged with D.U.I.
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Say it again
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk, no, no, no, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
No, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't you drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Hey, don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Oh, don't drive drunk
Oh, don't drive drunk, no
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Don't drive drunk
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are mad
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Actually, the lyrics are "Mothers Against Drunk Driving are M.A.D.D." after the organization that used the acronym.