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.
Tenement slum
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ah
You think that I don't feel love
But what I feel for you is real love
In other's eyes I see reflected, I hurt, scorned, rejected
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, born in poverty
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, take a look at me
Started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum (tenement slum)
My father left, he never even married mom
I shared the guilt my mama knew
So afraid that others knew I had no name, ah
This love we're contemplating, is worth the pain of waiting
We'll only end up hating the child we may be creating
Love child, never meant to be (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Love child, (scorn by) society
Love child, always second best
Love child, (different from) different from the rest
Hold on, hold on, just a little bit longer
Mm, baby
Hold on, hold on, just a little bit longer
Mm, baby
I started school in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out (somebody threw out)
I knew the way it felt to always live in doubt
To be without the simple things
So afraid my friends would see the guilt in me, ah
Don't think that I don't need you
Don't think I don't want to please you
But no child of mine will be bearing the name of shame I've been wearin'
Love child, love child, never quite as good (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood (just a little bit longer)
But I'll always love you (love child, wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
I'll always love you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
I'll always love you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
You, you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
(Wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ah
You think that I don't feel love
But what I feel for you is real love
In other's eyes I see reflected, I hurt, scorned, rejected
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, born in poverty
Love child, never meant to be
Love child, take a look at me
Started my life in an old, cold, rundown tenement slum (tenement slum)
My father left, he never even married mom
I shared the guilt my mama knew
So afraid that others knew I had no name, ah
This love we're contemplating, is worth the pain of waiting
We'll only end up hating the child we may be creating
Love child, never meant to be (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Love child, (scorn by) society
Love child, always second best
Love child, (different from) different from the rest
Hold on, hold on, just a little bit longer
Mm, baby
Hold on, hold on, just a little bit longer
Mm, baby
I started school in a worn, torn, dress that somebody threw out (somebody threw out)
I knew the way it felt to always live in doubt
To be without the simple things
So afraid my friends would see the guilt in me, ah
Don't think that I don't need you
Don't think I don't want to please you
But no child of mine will be bearing the name of shame I've been wearin'
Love child, love child, never quite as good (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Afraid, ashamed, misunderstood (just a little bit longer)
But I'll always love you (love child, wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
I'll always love you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
I'll always love you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
You, you (wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
I'll always love you (just a little bit longer, love child)
(Wait, wait, won't you wait now, hold on)
Lyrics submitted by quarter_past_three
Love Child Lyrics as written by Dennis Lussier Deke Richards
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ACUM Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song brings me either to tears or unrestrained pride every time I hear it. I don't understand the pride part. Maybe it's because I was a love child, and bore that name of shame and accepted it? At times I don't want to accept it...and that's when the tears come in...but most of the time, I feel grateful that I'm on this earth. So what my father didn't want me? I'm here anyways for better or worse.
Fucking love this song. The store I work at plays oldies on Sundays, and whenever this comes on, my whole day just rocks.