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.
So here we are in the same old spot
Know that something needs to happen
But our mouths are locked
Tongue tied, closed tight, sewed shut, yup
I tried hard, but it just wouldn't come up
It's on the tip of my tongue
It's in the front of my mind
But the words were still so hard to find
Finally the reality of the things to come
Pushed me to the edge
I jumped off the cliff into the abyss as I said,
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
The conversation lingered on and on and
Before I knew it night had turned to dawn and
We'll be searching for the truth in all of it, ha
Are we debating just to win the argument?
'Cause none of us want to hear about when we go wrong
This song could easily be from me to you or me to John
'Cause I have to potential to be the guiltiest
My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
Let's think about this path that we're taking
Let's think about this future we're creating
Let's think about this life that is fading
Think about it, come on
Think about it, now
Let's think about the time that we're spending
Investing in monetary things that are ending
Let's think about it and let's think together and
Let's think about what we can do to make it better
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
We can and we will do better than this
Know that something needs to happen
But our mouths are locked
Tongue tied, closed tight, sewed shut, yup
I tried hard, but it just wouldn't come up
It's on the tip of my tongue
It's in the front of my mind
But the words were still so hard to find
Finally the reality of the things to come
Pushed me to the edge
I jumped off the cliff into the abyss as I said,
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
The conversation lingered on and on and
Before I knew it night had turned to dawn and
We'll be searching for the truth in all of it, ha
Are we debating just to win the argument?
'Cause none of us want to hear about when we go wrong
This song could easily be from me to you or me to John
'Cause I have to potential to be the guiltiest
My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
Let's think about this path that we're taking
Let's think about this future we're creating
Let's think about this life that is fading
Think about it, come on
Think about it, now
Let's think about the time that we're spending
Investing in monetary things that are ending
Let's think about it and let's think together and
Let's think about what we can do to make it better
I'm not trying to be a nuisance
I just think we can do better than this
That was simply my two cents
You can, you can take it or leave it
We can and we will do better than this
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Lyrics page for the The Boy Vs. The Cynic album lyrics:
johnreubenlyrics.bravehost.com