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've got her in your pocket
And there is no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
Nobody ever told you that it was the wrong way
To trick a woman, make her feel she did it her way
And you'll be there if she ever feels blue
And you'll be there when she finds someone new
What to do
Well you know
You keep her in your pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
The smile on your face made her think
She had the right one
Then she thought she was sure
By the way you two could have fun
But now she might leave
Like she's threatened before
Grab hold of her fast
Before her feet leave the floor
And she's out the door
Cause you want
To keep her in my pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
And in your own mind
You know you're lucky just to know her
And in the beginning all you wanted
Was to show her
But now you're scared
You think she's running away
You search in you hand for something clever to say
Don't go away
Cause I want
To keep you in my pocket
Where there's no way out
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
Home sweet home
And there is no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
Nobody ever told you that it was the wrong way
To trick a woman, make her feel she did it her way
And you'll be there if she ever feels blue
And you'll be there when she finds someone new
What to do
Well you know
You keep her in your pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
The smile on your face made her think
She had the right one
Then she thought she was sure
By the way you two could have fun
But now she might leave
Like she's threatened before
Grab hold of her fast
Before her feet leave the floor
And she's out the door
Cause you want
To keep her in my pocket
Where there's no way out now
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
And in your own mind
You know you're lucky just to know her
And in the beginning all you wanted
Was to show her
But now you're scared
You think she's running away
You search in you hand for something clever to say
Don't go away
Cause I want
To keep you in my pocket
Where there's no way out
Put it in the safe and lock it
Cause it's home sweet home
Home sweet home
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I read this as an obsessive relationship. Perhaps even a murder ballad. The line(s) that convince me this is an unhealthy relationship: Nobody ever told you that it was the wrong way To trick a woman Where there's no way out now Put it in the safe and lock it
especially this line, "But now you're scared You think she's running away You search in your hand for something clever to say"
Why "hand" and not "head" or "heart" ? Because it is the gun in his hand that means "there's no way out now"
"...and you'll be there when she finds someone new what to do Well you know You keep her ... Put it in the safe and lock it" It is a pretty messed up idea to "lock up" a person (even metaphorically ) to keep them from leaving you.
Controlling behavior is a basic red flag for domestic violence.
This song reminds me of The Lights of LA County by Lyle Lovett "When you're driving through the hours with an old friend at your side". When your "friend" is a "beauty of a coal black .45"
Jack White's search "in your hand for something clever to say" "don't go away" to me is haunting.
This is a beautiful, haunting, amazing song. I was completely mesmerized watching him perform it on Jimmy Fallon..