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 don't wanna waste your time
I don't wanna waste your time
I just wanna say
I've got to say
We worked hard, darling
We don't have no control
We're under control
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna give it to you your way
I don't want to know
I don't wanna change your mind
I don't wanna change the world
I just wanna watch it go by
I just wanna watch you go by
We were young, darling
We don't have no control
We're out of control
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna give it to you your way
I don't want to know
I don't wanna change your mind
I don't wanna waste your time
I just wanna know you're alright
I've got to know you're alright
You are young, darling
For now, but not for long
Under control
I don't wanna waste your time
I just wanna say
I've got to say
We worked hard, darling
We don't have no control
We're under control
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna give it to you your way
I don't want to know
I don't wanna change your mind
I don't wanna change the world
I just wanna watch it go by
I just wanna watch you go by
We were young, darling
We don't have no control
We're out of control
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna do it your way
I don't wanna give it to you your way
I don't want to know
I don't wanna change your mind
I don't wanna waste your time
I just wanna know you're alright
I've got to know you're alright
You are young, darling
For now, but not for long
Under control
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perfectly said gilbag.
@danny_Horney Thanks, man!
...a fuckin' masterpiece...
this song makes me cry. in a good way.
i dotn think it could be better discribed other than gilbags meaning!!!! exactly what i was thinking good work gilbag!!!!
I love Julian's voice in this. It's such a great song and a really good eplanation by gilbag. There really aren't enough songs like this by the strokes.
I want them to play this song on my wedding day. in uhhh about 10 yrs from now.
@appletree ...It's been 10 years. ๏_๏
@appletree Did you play it on your wedding?
this is my favorite strokes song b/c of the words of the song its a very beautiful song i remember just wanting to watch her go by, its all i wanted
i think that in twenty years time, when the strokes atop making music, this will be regarded as Julians masterpiece
a better song has never been written
this is the ultimate make-out song