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.
In the middle of a gun fight
In the center of a restaurant
They say, come with your arms raised high
Well, they're never gonna get me,
And like a bullet through a flock of doves
To wage this war against your faith in me
Your life, will never be the same
On your mother's eyes, say a prayer say a prayer
Now, but I can't
And I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again
They all cheat at cards and the checkers are lost
My cellmate's a killer, they made me do push-ups (in drag)
But nobody cares if you're losing yourself am I losing myself
Well, I miss my mom
Will they give me the chair
Or lethal injection, or swing from a rope if you dare
Ah, nobody knows all the trouble I've seen
Now, but I can't
And I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again
To your room
What they ask of you
Will make you want to say, so long
Well, I don't remember
Why remember you
Do you have the keys to the hotel
'Cause I'm gonna string this motherfucker on fire (fire)
Life is but a dream for the dead
And well I, I won't go down by myself
But I'll go down with my friends
Now now now now, now now now, now now now, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
In the center of a restaurant
They say, come with your arms raised high
Well, they're never gonna get me,
And like a bullet through a flock of doves
To wage this war against your faith in me
Your life, will never be the same
On your mother's eyes, say a prayer say a prayer
Now, but I can't
And I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again
They all cheat at cards and the checkers are lost
My cellmate's a killer, they made me do push-ups (in drag)
But nobody cares if you're losing yourself am I losing myself
Well, I miss my mom
Will they give me the chair
Or lethal injection, or swing from a rope if you dare
Ah, nobody knows all the trouble I've seen
Now, but I can't
And I don't know
How we're just two men as God had made us
Well, I can't, well, I can
Too much, too late, or just not enough of this
Pain in my heart for your dying wish
I'll kiss your lips again
To your room
What they ask of you
Will make you want to say, so long
Well, I don't remember
Why remember you
Do you have the keys to the hotel
'Cause I'm gonna string this motherfucker on fire (fire)
Life is but a dream for the dead
And well I, I won't go down by myself
But I'll go down with my friends
Now now now now, now now now, now now now, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Lyrics submitted by Mike NJSS, edited by suus105904, SmashingDestiny
You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison Lyrics as written by Gerard Way Frank Iero
Lyrics © BLOW THE DOORS OFF CHICAGO
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I like this song. This is a new form of rock music -- extra spicy. It's not like common emo song. It has dignity, I think.
Tempo and raging din. Gerard is genius. Even though . . . I don't like this 'gay idea'. And I think the guitar sound will be better in heavier distortion. Heil Gerard Arthur!!