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're building a case against me
Prosecutor, judge and jury
We've had this conversation in your head
'Cause I wasn't there you made up what I said
Or what I would have said
You know me so well
You've heard how I am and how I'm going to
Heaven knows we've never had this conversation
Or should I be calling it a condemnation?
'Cause you're not listening to me
So na na na na na
That's all I'm gonna say
'Cause na na na na na
Made up your mind anyway
Na na na na na
There's nothing I can do
So na na na na na
Couldn't we be friends if not for you
I feel like the teacher from charlie brown
All you hear is that wah wah wah sound
Maybe I'm a pokemon pikachu
'Cause that's what comes out when I'm talking to you
You're a crusader, you've made me your fight
Your superhero name is mister right
Instead of trying to understand
Tell all your friends how wrong I am
And you're not listening to me
So na na na na na
That's all I'm gonna say
'Cause na na na na na
Made up your mind anyway
Na na na na na
There's nothing I can do
So na na na na na
Couldn't we be friends if not for you
Can't we be friends?
Why does it end
Before a word is even heard?
I look at you, your attitude
Why can't you see that it's not me?
Oops, I did it again, I see
The person I'm talking about is me
Assuming you're the enemy in the crosshairs of my verbal uzi
No matter who wins, we both lose
No matter who starts, we both choose
To keep it going on and on and on and on and on ...
But let's start listening and see ...
La la la la la
La la la la la
Sorry that it got this way
La la la la la
Next time I won't let it stew
La la la la la
Couldn't we start over, me and you?
Prosecutor, judge and jury
We've had this conversation in your head
'Cause I wasn't there you made up what I said
Or what I would have said
You know me so well
You've heard how I am and how I'm going to
Heaven knows we've never had this conversation
Or should I be calling it a condemnation?
'Cause you're not listening to me
So na na na na na
That's all I'm gonna say
'Cause na na na na na
Made up your mind anyway
Na na na na na
There's nothing I can do
So na na na na na
Couldn't we be friends if not for you
I feel like the teacher from charlie brown
All you hear is that wah wah wah sound
Maybe I'm a pokemon pikachu
'Cause that's what comes out when I'm talking to you
You're a crusader, you've made me your fight
Your superhero name is mister right
Instead of trying to understand
Tell all your friends how wrong I am
And you're not listening to me
So na na na na na
That's all I'm gonna say
'Cause na na na na na
Made up your mind anyway
Na na na na na
There's nothing I can do
So na na na na na
Couldn't we be friends if not for you
Can't we be friends?
Why does it end
Before a word is even heard?
I look at you, your attitude
Why can't you see that it's not me?
Oops, I did it again, I see
The person I'm talking about is me
Assuming you're the enemy in the crosshairs of my verbal uzi
No matter who wins, we both lose
No matter who starts, we both choose
To keep it going on and on and on and on and on ...
But let's start listening and see ...
La la la la la
La la la la la
Sorry that it got this way
La la la la la
Next time I won't let it stew
La la la la la
Couldn't we start over, me and you?
Lyrics submitted by malsetsfire
Na Na Lyrics as written by Dijon Mcfarlane Tremaine Neverson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i'm surprised no one else seems to see it like i do. i really think it's about someone hearing you're a christian before they meet you. and then deciding they just won't listen to like they know exactly what you're going to say already. so why bother saying anything? they're just going to ignore you and tell all their friends you're wrong. but then she realizes she does the same thing, and doesn't really listen when people talk because she thinks she knows what they'll say. just like how we're all guilty of the same things. (i thought i'd throw in a relient k quote =])
i totally agree!!!!<br /> lol i know i am like way late on this but yes i agree
why has nobody commented? such a lively fun song :D its great :]
Yes! I am surprised that there is only one comment! This is an upbeat song.. Very happy. :)
i think this song is about how a person thinks that they know someone else so well that they know what they're gonna say and never really bother to truly listen to them. so, now that they're the one trying to talk, the person they never really bothered to listen to is the one that isn't listening to show them how it feels. so now that they know how the other felt, they're trying to be friends knowing not to do it again.... or something like that >>;
It's about best friends who've fought. I kind of think they had this fight in elementry school. So, most of their loves, they were enemies. Finally (senior year or graduation) they realized how much they've missed that person's friendship and appologize.