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.
Looking at himself but wishing he was someone else
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like him at all
So he ties it up, he tucks it in, he pulls it back, and gives a grin
Laughing at himself because he knows he ain't loved at all
He gets his courage from the can
It makes him feel like a man
Because he's loving all the ladies
But the ladies don't love him at all
'Cause when he's not drunk
He's only stuck on himself
And then he has the nerve
To say he needs a decent girl
Looking at herself but wishing she was someone else
Because the body of the doll it don't look like hers at all
So she straps it on, she sucks it in, she throws it up, and gives a grin
Laughing at herself because she knows she ain't that at all
All caught up in the trends
Well the truth began to bend
And the next thing you know man
There just ain't no truth left at all
'Cause when the pretty girl walks
She walks so proud
And when the pretty girl laughs
Oh man, she laughs so loud
And if it ain't this then it's that
As a matter of fact
She hasn't had a day to relax
Since she has lost her ability to think clearly
Well I'm an energetic hypothetic version of another person
Check out my outsides there ain't nothing in here
Well I'm a superficial, systematic, music television addict
Check out my outsides there ain't nothing in
Here comes another one, just like the other one
Looking at himself but wishing he was someone else
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like a him
And so he ties it up he tucks it in, he pulls it back and gives a grin
Laughing at himself because he knows he ain't loved at all
He knows he ain't loved at all
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like him at all
So he ties it up, he tucks it in, he pulls it back, and gives a grin
Laughing at himself because he knows he ain't loved at all
He gets his courage from the can
It makes him feel like a man
Because he's loving all the ladies
But the ladies don't love him at all
'Cause when he's not drunk
He's only stuck on himself
And then he has the nerve
To say he needs a decent girl
Looking at herself but wishing she was someone else
Because the body of the doll it don't look like hers at all
So she straps it on, she sucks it in, she throws it up, and gives a grin
Laughing at herself because she knows she ain't that at all
All caught up in the trends
Well the truth began to bend
And the next thing you know man
There just ain't no truth left at all
'Cause when the pretty girl walks
She walks so proud
And when the pretty girl laughs
Oh man, she laughs so loud
And if it ain't this then it's that
As a matter of fact
She hasn't had a day to relax
Since she has lost her ability to think clearly
Well I'm an energetic hypothetic version of another person
Check out my outsides there ain't nothing in here
Well I'm a superficial, systematic, music television addict
Check out my outsides there ain't nothing in
Here comes another one, just like the other one
Looking at himself but wishing he was someone else
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like a him
And so he ties it up he tucks it in, he pulls it back and gives a grin
Laughing at himself because he knows he ain't loved at all
He knows he ain't loved at all
Lyrics submitted by blueangelrugby
Posters Lyrics as written by Jack Hody Johnson
Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[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.
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Page
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all around wonderful song