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.
Out on the streets what ya lookin' for
That thing in your bed's just another whore
That tear in your eyes not a tear at all
For that girl that you touch you could never fall
That stream in your mind it's a tearin' sty
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Your leather is tight but you wear it full
Together is right but you gotta be cool
You cut your wrists but you don't feel the pain
You change your mind but you still feel the same
To dream ain't your kind just another lie
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Sell us a story that we can believe
Spend your dollars on pills for relief
Love is a future that you just can't see
Standing answers to questions are free
Scream in your boredom life's just to die
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Dive in problems just like stealin' a fix
Is your life to live or is it for kicks
Kick dirt in the faces of angry dream men
Stand on your chairs and spell don't let me in
Don't stand in the light cuz you know you can't cry
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
That thing in your bed's just another whore
That tear in your eyes not a tear at all
For that girl that you touch you could never fall
That stream in your mind it's a tearin' sty
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Your leather is tight but you wear it full
Together is right but you gotta be cool
You cut your wrists but you don't feel the pain
You change your mind but you still feel the same
To dream ain't your kind just another lie
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Sell us a story that we can believe
Spend your dollars on pills for relief
Love is a future that you just can't see
Standing answers to questions are free
Scream in your boredom life's just to die
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Dive in problems just like stealin' a fix
Is your life to live or is it for kicks
Kick dirt in the faces of angry dream men
Stand on your chairs and spell don't let me in
Don't stand in the light cuz you know you can't cry
Let's pretend you're vicious
Let's pretend you're cool
Let's pretend suspicious, yea yea
Let's pretend you're fools
Lyrics submitted by x_melancholy_x
Let's Pretend Lyrics as written by Georg Ruthenberg Darby Crash
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This is an awesome song, I can't believe no ones commented on it.
I think it's about people just messing around in things they don't really care about, trying to be cool.
The start of the song seems contradictory to Darby's way of living. It sounds like he's bashing people for having casual sex, but by all accounts he was pretty big on random casual sex.
I read in the book "Lexicon Devil" that girls always wanted to have sex with Darby, but they never got to. So if he ever had random casual sex, it probably wasn't with girls...<br /> <br /> I don't know. You probably know more than me.
Definitely one of my favorites!!!