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.
A crack in the door
A slit in the blinds
A hole in the fence
So easy to find.
People doing people things
Whatever that might be
They go on about their business
Too wrapped up to see
In the shadows,
My unblinking eye,
I love the secretive life
I hide in the park
Behind the bushes
I see runners and skaters
And a half naked man
Showing off his tattoos
And I see old Mr. Gray
With his bad toupee
With some dumb girl about half his age
People doing (definitely not his wife) people things
Uncalling out to me
They're so funny I could almost cry
I love the Secretive Life
There's Johnny's dad
On his third martini
And his nose is getting bigger
As I watch through the kitchen window
They really oughta close those blinds
And under my coat
I got a micro-recorder,
A pad, and a pencil,
And a picture of you
I can't believe you did that
I see two love birds walking by
With that sick and dreamy
Look in their eye
And there's a big fat cop
With a Magnum mustache
Trying so hard to look mean
People doing
(Bet he doesn't see that man across the street)
People things
(Stealing a bicycle)
Whatever that may be
They may look in my direction
But they never see
In the shadows my unblinking eye
I love the Secretive Life
You know what'll happen
If you're mean to me
I'll write it all down
For everyone to see
And I'll put it in a song
And I won't change your name
I got no shame
A slit in the blinds
A hole in the fence
So easy to find.
People doing people things
Whatever that might be
They go on about their business
Too wrapped up to see
In the shadows,
My unblinking eye,
I love the secretive life
I hide in the park
Behind the bushes
I see runners and skaters
And a half naked man
Showing off his tattoos
And I see old Mr. Gray
With his bad toupee
With some dumb girl about half his age
People doing (definitely not his wife) people things
Uncalling out to me
They're so funny I could almost cry
I love the Secretive Life
There's Johnny's dad
On his third martini
And his nose is getting bigger
As I watch through the kitchen window
They really oughta close those blinds
And under my coat
I got a micro-recorder,
A pad, and a pencil,
And a picture of you
I can't believe you did that
I see two love birds walking by
With that sick and dreamy
Look in their eye
And there's a big fat cop
With a Magnum mustache
Trying so hard to look mean
People doing
(Bet he doesn't see that man across the street)
People things
(Stealing a bicycle)
Whatever that may be
They may look in my direction
But they never see
In the shadows my unblinking eye
I love the Secretive Life
You know what'll happen
If you're mean to me
I'll write it all down
For everyone to see
And I'll put it in a song
And I won't change your name
I got no shame
Lyrics submitted by MoUsY_spell_checker
The Secretive Life Lyrics as written by Pat Macdonald Jill Sobule
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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