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.
It doesn't pay to try
All the smart boys know why
It doesn't mean, I didn't try
I just never know, why
It isn't 'cause I'm all alone
Oh, baby, you're not home
And when I'm home
Big deal, I'm still alone
It's so restless, I am
Beat my head against a pole
Try to knock some sense, down 'side my bones
And even though it don't show
Those guys are so old
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try
Don't try
You're just a basket case
And you got no name
Could you live with me?
Go on and say
And even though it don't show
Those guys are so old
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try
Don't try
Johnny you're me
Yeah, you're memory
I want to put my arms around your memory
I can't try, I can't try...don't try
All the smart boys know why
It doesn't mean, I didn't try
I just never know, why
It isn't 'cause I'm all alone
Oh, baby, you're not home
And when I'm home
Big deal, I'm still alone
It's so restless, I am
Beat my head against a pole
Try to knock some sense, down 'side my bones
And even though it don't show
Those guys are so old
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try
Don't try
You're just a basket case
And you got no name
Could you live with me?
Go on and say
And even though it don't show
Those guys are so old
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Can't put your arms around a memory
Don't try
Don't try
Johnny you're me
Yeah, you're memory
I want to put my arms around your memory
I can't try, I can't try...don't try
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Ok, so know one gets confused, this song isn't by gnr, its by a much better artist, Johnny Thunders, who was lead guitar and part time vocalist for proto-punk group 'The New York Dolls' who inspired the Ramones who then inspired all of the UK punk rock scene. Johnny then moved on to form the Heartbreakers, then went solo, and eventually od'ed on Heroine. This song was on his solo album 'So Alone' and FYI the whole spaggetti whatever album by GNR is all covers and totally unoriginal, (another great song on it is New Rose by the damned).
And onw of the lines is 'sposed to be 'bastard kid' not 'basket-case'.
As for what the song means, I think its about being an outcast from society (punk former glam-rocker) and the trouble that causes with relationships.