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.
I would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the sleep out of my night
And I would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the shine out of my life
Oh and I go through it all
Oh it's a thing like habit, I know
I would be a fighter for a tiny piece of a tiny feeling
Give it up to wonder what it's worth
And I would feel much bigger for the little joy that you get from stealing
I never really wonder what it's worth
Oh and I am dead and gone
Oh you will feel much older, I know
I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would be complete if you could put me down in facts and figures
The hardest things are always black and white
And I would be complete if you could touch me once but it never figures
The easy things are never really right
Oh and I go day by day, oh it's a thing to live for, I know
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
Why don't you take a walk outside and see the mess I made
And see the mess I made
And I will be waiting with a knife just like an angry child
Just like an angry child
And why don't you go spread the word just like some disease
Just like some disease
I know your mother told you that you are God
But you are just a Boy
I would be much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, and I miss you
To come and take the sleep out of my night
And I would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the shine out of my life
Oh and I go through it all
Oh it's a thing like habit, I know
I would be a fighter for a tiny piece of a tiny feeling
Give it up to wonder what it's worth
And I would feel much bigger for the little joy that you get from stealing
I never really wonder what it's worth
Oh and I am dead and gone
Oh you will feel much older, I know
I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would be complete if you could put me down in facts and figures
The hardest things are always black and white
And I would be complete if you could touch me once but it never figures
The easy things are never really right
Oh and I go day by day, oh it's a thing to live for, I know
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
Why don't you take a walk outside and see the mess I made
And see the mess I made
And I will be waiting with a knife just like an angry child
Just like an angry child
And why don't you go spread the word just like some disease
Just like some disease
I know your mother told you that you are God
But you are just a Boy
I would be much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, and I miss you
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