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've got a bike, you can ride it if you like
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a cloak, it's a bit of a joke
There's a tear up the front, it's red and black
I've had it for months
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house
I don't know why I call him Gerald
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a clan of gingerbread men
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men
Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a room full of musical tunes
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork
Let's go into the other room and make them work
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a cloak, it's a bit of a joke
There's a tear up the front, it's red and black
I've had it for months
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house
I don't know why I call him Gerald
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a clan of gingerbread men
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men
Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a room full of musical tunes
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork
Let's go into the other room and make them work
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by digitalmanMKII
Bike Lyrics as written by Syd Barrett
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I think this song is supposed to be insane sounding, because I think it is about how he thinks women are insane. The reason why he keeps offering her things... Well, so many women just sit around the house all day and expect their man to provide for them. I think that bothers him, so he makes a joke of a song to deal with his issues lol. I think maybe the room of musical tunes is sex and Gerald represents how women like to get pets and maybe he doesn't like pets or something. As I always say with Floyd/Barrett songs.... I could be wrong :) I wonder if anyone will actually read this, considering how there are so many posts. I wish the moderator would take all the crap off of here and stick to the topic.