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.
You just don't get it
What it is, well, you're not really sure
You move like you're walking on thin ice
Talking like you're still insecure
Time is a spiral, space is a curve
I know you get dizzy, but try not to lose your nerve
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Waiting for rescue, and I know that you just
Don't get it
You just don't get it
Neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
You just don't get it
Baby, don't you ask yourself why?
If you don't like the answer, forget it
You know I hate to see you cry
Fortune is random, fate shoots from the hip
I know you get crazy, but try not to lose your grip, oh
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Looking for trust, and I know that you just
Don't get it
Well, you just don't get it
Neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
Snap
Hide in your shell, let the world go to hell
It's like Russian roulette to you
Snap
Sweat running cold, you can't face growing old
It's a personal threat to you
Snap
The world is a cage for your impotent rage
But don't let it get to you, oh
Snap
It's just neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, neurotica (oh)
It's just erotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
What it is, well, you're not really sure
You move like you're walking on thin ice
Talking like you're still insecure
Time is a spiral, space is a curve
I know you get dizzy, but try not to lose your nerve
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Waiting for rescue, and I know that you just
Don't get it
You just don't get it
Neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
You just don't get it
Baby, don't you ask yourself why?
If you don't like the answer, forget it
You know I hate to see you cry
Fortune is random, fate shoots from the hip
I know you get crazy, but try not to lose your grip, oh
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Looking for trust, and I know that you just
Don't get it
Well, you just don't get it
Neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
Snap
Hide in your shell, let the world go to hell
It's like Russian roulette to you
Snap
Sweat running cold, you can't face growing old
It's a personal threat to you
Snap
The world is a cage for your impotent rage
But don't let it get to you, oh
Snap
It's just neurotica, exotica (oh)
It's just erotica, hypnotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, chaotica (oh)
It's just exotica, neurotica (oh)
It's just psychotica, neurotica (oh)
It's just erotica, neurotica, oh (oh)
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"Exotica? This is really Neal Peart that wrote these lyrics?"
It is an age-old convention in poetry to create new words or use rare words to better express one's ideas. Just look at Shakespeare. The ideas within "exotica" or "chaotica" are still present.
You're watching this song? My god. I've got to give you credit for that!