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 wasn't me, I wasn't there
I was just watching from over here
And besides, I couldn't afford the bus fare
In Hollywood and Washington
They shake and smile through the harm they've done
But it's your little red wagon and you gotta pull it
It'll take a lifetime to clear your name
Under the bridges of fame it's always nighttime
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
I was stone drunk, it isn't clear
And it doesn't count cause I don't care
The years transform my memories
Of all the countless decades of grief
It was cut and run in '91
Put yourselves in a straightjacket
But when you're pleading
Saying it's no cheaper than humiliation
That's free
That's free
That's free
I've gone and quit my worshiping
Of the false gods and golden sins
'Cause we've made love in the Tower of Babel and it fell down
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
That was not my love affair
That is not my lover, that's not even my friend
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
I was stone drunk, it isn't clear
And it doesn't count cause I don't care
But I use a pop song to clear my name
Under the bridges of fame it's always nighttime
I'll end with a closure and say goodnight
I was just watching from over here
And besides, I couldn't afford the bus fare
In Hollywood and Washington
They shake and smile through the harm they've done
But it's your little red wagon and you gotta pull it
It'll take a lifetime to clear your name
Under the bridges of fame it's always nighttime
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
I was stone drunk, it isn't clear
And it doesn't count cause I don't care
The years transform my memories
Of all the countless decades of grief
It was cut and run in '91
Put yourselves in a straightjacket
But when you're pleading
Saying it's no cheaper than humiliation
That's free
That's free
That's free
I've gone and quit my worshiping
Of the false gods and golden sins
'Cause we've made love in the Tower of Babel and it fell down
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
That was not my love affair
That is not my lover, that's not even my friend
It wasn't me, I wasn't there
I was stone drunk, it isn't clear
And it doesn't count cause I don't care
But I use a pop song to clear my name
Under the bridges of fame it's always nighttime
I'll end with a closure and say goodnight
Lyrics submitted by y plus white girl
It Wasn't Me Lyrics as written by Jenny Lewis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Anyone who says she can't write a good song after hearing this album, and especially this song, needs to really open his ears and mind to her unique voice. Jenny's writing as well as anyone in this song, taking her own history and turning it into something larger and universal that resonates with her audience. If this isn't good songwriting, I don't know what is: "in hollywood and washington / they shake and smile through the harm they've done / but it's your little red wagon / and you gotta pull it"
This song is great, this album is remarkable, and Jenny Lewis is on her way to being as good a singer/songwriter as anyone else in popular music. No exaggeration.
I disagree completely. She is not as good a singer/songwriter as anyone else in popular music, she is way above most popular music. Her voice is pristine. Her lyrics make you feel like she wrote the song for you. She is AMAZING.