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'm never waking up again so I'll never have to find out what you did
Each day it's harder to pretend
That your eyes aren't lying as much as your mouth did
I'd grab your head by your hair and I'd hack it off
And put it on display at the front of the yard
On a stick that's decorated with a little pink bow and a sign that says
"Her friends and family should have taught her more about love."
Dear Tragedy, I never had anybody
But being alone wasn't half as bad as being obsessed
With a breath taker,
A smile faker
But these years alone have eaten me alive
Recounting pages in a book
That I'd torn out ashamed that one day you'd look
Afraid that once you did you'd really know how it felt
To be a sucker on a string that you dragged around wherever you'd go
I'm running around, around and it hurts
Tempted to tape up the pages I'd ripped
And although I recognize that we're attached at the lips,
You're the one in charge and that the captain's gotta sink with the ship
I never had anybody
But being alone wasn't half as bad as being obsessed
With a breath taker,
A smile faker
But these years alone have eaten me alive
Breath taker,
Smile faker,
How could I have let you in my life?
You're a breath taker,
Smile faker
These years alone have eaten me alive
Each day it's harder to pretend
That your eyes aren't lying as much as your mouth did
I'd grab your head by your hair and I'd hack it off
And put it on display at the front of the yard
On a stick that's decorated with a little pink bow and a sign that says
"Her friends and family should have taught her more about love."
Dear Tragedy, I never had anybody
But being alone wasn't half as bad as being obsessed
With a breath taker,
A smile faker
But these years alone have eaten me alive
Recounting pages in a book
That I'd torn out ashamed that one day you'd look
Afraid that once you did you'd really know how it felt
To be a sucker on a string that you dragged around wherever you'd go
I'm running around, around and it hurts
Tempted to tape up the pages I'd ripped
And although I recognize that we're attached at the lips,
You're the one in charge and that the captain's gotta sink with the ship
I never had anybody
But being alone wasn't half as bad as being obsessed
With a breath taker,
A smile faker
But these years alone have eaten me alive
Breath taker,
Smile faker,
How could I have let you in my life?
You're a breath taker,
Smile faker
These years alone have eaten me alive
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i love the solo in this song!