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'm so sorry, baby
I never meant to hurt you
Please forgive me
Tears I see drop from your eyes
Tell me why you cry
Guilt I feel when you look at me
Did I let you down
Girl, you see that I
I apologize
Tell me what to do
To get through to you
Girl, it's not the same
I know I was to blame
Just tell me when will I
See you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Promises I know I made many times before
And I broke each one of them
But I had to learn over and over again
Don't hurt the one you love
Girl, you see that I
I apologize
Tell me what to do
To get through to you
Girl, it's not the same
I know I was to blame
Just tell me when will I
See you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Look, baby
Listen
Please forgive me for all the wrong I've done
You see, I just can't understand
Why I keep making this same kind of mistake
Over and over again
But there's one question that remains in the back of my mind now
And that is
When will I see you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again (maybe we can talk it over)
'Cause I know I messed up, baby (maybe we can work it out)
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar (is there something I can do)
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
I never meant to hurt you
Please forgive me
Tears I see drop from your eyes
Tell me why you cry
Guilt I feel when you look at me
Did I let you down
Girl, you see that I
I apologize
Tell me what to do
To get through to you
Girl, it's not the same
I know I was to blame
Just tell me when will I
See you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Promises I know I made many times before
And I broke each one of them
But I had to learn over and over again
Don't hurt the one you love
Girl, you see that I
I apologize
Tell me what to do
To get through to you
Girl, it's not the same
I know I was to blame
Just tell me when will I
See you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Look, baby
Listen
Please forgive me for all the wrong I've done
You see, I just can't understand
Why I keep making this same kind of mistake
Over and over again
But there's one question that remains in the back of my mind now
And that is
When will I see you smile again
Tell me when will I see you smile again (maybe we can talk it over)
'Cause I know I messed up, baby (maybe we can work it out)
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar (is there something I can do)
Tell me when will I see you smile again
'Cause I know I messed up, baby
And I know you're fed up, sugar
Tell me when will I see you smile again
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