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.
Don't know much about practicing what I preach
Don't know how to be envious without jealousy
Don't know how to hold my temper, when I have to get in the last word
Don't know how to speak softly and still be heard
But before I lose everything and everyone who loves me
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Don't know much about love ‘cause I get the same crap from every guy
Don't know how to see the grass being greener on my side
Don't know much about wisdom without being jaded
Don't know how to take criticism without feeling hated
But before I lose everything and everyone who loves me
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Whoa man, I'm everything I said I wouldn't be
Standing here with nothing, will you help me?
Don't know how to tell a joke without putting my foot in my mouth
Don't know how to be intimate if I don't have a crowd
Don't know how to be hopeful, what if they let me down?
I don't know how to keep myself from hurting everyone
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Don't know how to be envious without jealousy
Don't know how to hold my temper, when I have to get in the last word
Don't know how to speak softly and still be heard
But before I lose everything and everyone who loves me
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Don't know much about love ‘cause I get the same crap from every guy
Don't know how to see the grass being greener on my side
Don't know much about wisdom without being jaded
Don't know how to take criticism without feeling hated
But before I lose everything and everyone who loves me
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Whoa man, I'm everything I said I wouldn't be
Standing here with nothing, will you help me?
Don't know how to tell a joke without putting my foot in my mouth
Don't know how to be intimate if I don't have a crowd
Don't know how to be hopeful, what if they let me down?
I don't know how to keep myself from hurting everyone
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
God if you’re listening would you have a message sent
‘Cause I need to be a better lover, brother, and a friend
God if you’re listening would you come up with some change
‘Cause I wake up every morning with a penny to my name
Lyrics submitted by Yadam85
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