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.
There was a time and a place
That was all full of mistakes
And a face that was all full of shit
I was frustrated and angry
I was more than alive
A catcher in the rye
I was a jet plane...a thin membrane
Washing, and preening, and shedding all hope
I'm Hot Shots Pt. Deux, I'm down periscope
The rope that I'm hanging from keeps telling me what to do
I'm pissing on the fire, and learning a remarkable truth
About you...
Ugly is ugly...transformation is a dream, a dream, a dream...
So love what you are, not what you would like to be
I'm a drunk with a job, I got pictures to prove it
I got some junk in my trunk and the dance moves to move it
(x2)
I am written on the subway walls
I am bitter when I fall
(x2)
***movie sample***
(x4 more)
Shout me in the streets and parks
Scrape your voices on the stars
(x2)
Whoa...
"i am man with guitar, i am three's company
it's the end of the world, sit and watch with me."
(x2)
Oh
Good friend, how loud do you want life to shout her answers in your ears?
That was all full of mistakes
And a face that was all full of shit
I was frustrated and angry
I was more than alive
A catcher in the rye
I was a jet plane...a thin membrane
Washing, and preening, and shedding all hope
I'm Hot Shots Pt. Deux, I'm down periscope
The rope that I'm hanging from keeps telling me what to do
I'm pissing on the fire, and learning a remarkable truth
About you...
Ugly is ugly...transformation is a dream, a dream, a dream...
So love what you are, not what you would like to be
I'm a drunk with a job, I got pictures to prove it
I got some junk in my trunk and the dance moves to move it
(x2)
I am written on the subway walls
I am bitter when I fall
(x2)
***movie sample***
(x4 more)
Shout me in the streets and parks
Scrape your voices on the stars
(x2)
Whoa...
"i am man with guitar, i am three's company
it's the end of the world, sit and watch with me."
(x2)
Oh
Good friend, how loud do you want life to shout her answers in your ears?
Lyrics submitted by X405pastmidnight
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Great version of a great song,
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yessss, please tell us!