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.
All we ever wanted
Is to know how to shake off every impulse
Looking up evolution's skirt
To see what the future will bring
The thing that smacks our nostrils
Track down it's origin and reason
And somehow we just can't help but feel
We beat up the wrong guy
Everything seems to work fine
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Everybody's feeling alright
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
The answer's gone to waste
The question is wrapped in hesitation
But all the handshakes in the world
Couldn't grasp why this is absurd
Everytime this happens
Some representitive of instinct
Slips you his business card and leaves you
To figure out what it means
This sinking feeling
That there's more than meets the eye
You just have to wonder why
You just have to wonder why
Everything seems to work fine
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Everybody's feeling alright
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Is to know how to shake off every impulse
Looking up evolution's skirt
To see what the future will bring
The thing that smacks our nostrils
Track down it's origin and reason
And somehow we just can't help but feel
We beat up the wrong guy
Everything seems to work fine
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Everybody's feeling alright
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
The answer's gone to waste
The question is wrapped in hesitation
But all the handshakes in the world
Couldn't grasp why this is absurd
Everytime this happens
Some representitive of instinct
Slips you his business card and leaves you
To figure out what it means
This sinking feeling
That there's more than meets the eye
You just have to wonder why
You just have to wonder why
Everything seems to work fine
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Everybody's feeling alright
But something doesn't compute
It does not compute
Lyrics submitted by jesusaurous
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This song is so feel good. I can just sit around, blare this song, and feel sort of good while working or doing study or blah blah.
This song, for me, is about just having that day where you are just having a great time. Really enjoying yourself, the sun is shining, you have no work, everything is going fine with your partner but deep down theres just feeling like something is wrong. And this feeling becomes heavier and heavier.
And for some reason I associate the word 'compute' with like... calculators and computers. Like to compute is to use a calculator or computer to figure out something. Something that you can probably figure out for yourself but you just can't. And this thing in your life that is upsetting you can only be found with the help of another.
Hmm.
-Katie. xoxo.