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'll make you a deal
Like any other candidate
We'll pretend we're walking home
'Cause your future's at stake
My set is amazing
It even smells like a street
There's a bar at the end
Where I can meet you and your friend
Someone scrawled on the wall
"I smell the blood of Les Tricoteuses"
Wrote up scandals in other bars
I'm having so much fun
With the poisonous people
Spreading rumors and lies
And stories they made up
Some make you sing
And some make you scream
One makes you wish
That you'd never been seen
But there's a shop on the corner
That's selling papier-mâché
Making bulletproof faces
Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay
If you want it, boys get it here, thing
So you scream out of line
"I want you, I need you
Anyone out there? Any time?"
Trés butch little number whines
"Hey dirty, I want you
When it's good, it's really good, and when it's
Bad I go to pieces"
If you want it, boys
Get it here thing
Well on the street where you live
I could not hold up my head
For I put all I have in another bed
On another floor, in the back of a car
In the cellar like a church
With the door ajar
Well, I guess we've must be looking
For a different kind
But we can't stop trying 'til we break up our minds
'Til the sun drips blood
On the seedy young knights
Who press you on the ground
While shaking in fright
I guess we could cruise down
One more time
With you by my side
It should be fine
We'll buy some drugs
And watch a band
Then jump in a river holding hands
Like any other candidate
We'll pretend we're walking home
'Cause your future's at stake
My set is amazing
It even smells like a street
There's a bar at the end
Where I can meet you and your friend
Someone scrawled on the wall
"I smell the blood of Les Tricoteuses"
Wrote up scandals in other bars
I'm having so much fun
With the poisonous people
Spreading rumors and lies
And stories they made up
Some make you sing
And some make you scream
One makes you wish
That you'd never been seen
But there's a shop on the corner
That's selling papier-mâché
Making bulletproof faces
Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay
If you want it, boys get it here, thing
So you scream out of line
"I want you, I need you
Anyone out there? Any time?"
Trés butch little number whines
"Hey dirty, I want you
When it's good, it's really good, and when it's
Bad I go to pieces"
If you want it, boys
Get it here thing
Well on the street where you live
I could not hold up my head
For I put all I have in another bed
On another floor, in the back of a car
In the cellar like a church
With the door ajar
Well, I guess we've must be looking
For a different kind
But we can't stop trying 'til we break up our minds
'Til the sun drips blood
On the seedy young knights
Who press you on the ground
While shaking in fright
I guess we could cruise down
One more time
With you by my side
It should be fine
We'll buy some drugs
And watch a band
Then jump in a river holding hands
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Great version of a great song,
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