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 know that you're out there
Born ready, but on the decline
To keep you from my thoughts
When we first broke the line
Do you remember like I remember?
Lost pursuits of excellence
The glory of the crowd
Lives of imperialists
Leave me with aching wrists
So no wonder you frown when you're two world wars down
So when the dark times come well I will sing you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me twice as strong
Just to gaze in your eyes, makes all the difference to me.
Just be ready my angel
Be ready when I call
I've been re reading letters
They were moving warm but bitter and I cried right through them all
Oooh ooooh
The days go so slow
Ooooh oooh
We'll never get to heaven with the artillery in tow
So when the dark times come, it might warm your heart to know
That I went to the crossroads but the devil never showed
They can stick their war, I'm leaving now
It makes no difference to me
I'm hoping if you know where I am
Send your heart in a telegram
I'm praying that you know where I am
Be upstairs ready my angel
Be ready when I call
And then my angel I'll be ready too and I will catch you when you fall
Do you remember like I remember
All the dirty things you said?
Do you remember like I remember
Or was it all in my head?
So when the dark times come well I will song you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me to act so strong
To gaze in your eyes makes all the difference to me
So
who's got the clap
Who's got the clap
Give yourself a clap now
Born ready, but on the decline
To keep you from my thoughts
When we first broke the line
Do you remember like I remember?
Lost pursuits of excellence
The glory of the crowd
Lives of imperialists
Leave me with aching wrists
So no wonder you frown when you're two world wars down
So when the dark times come well I will sing you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me twice as strong
Just to gaze in your eyes, makes all the difference to me.
Just be ready my angel
Be ready when I call
I've been re reading letters
They were moving warm but bitter and I cried right through them all
Oooh ooooh
The days go so slow
Ooooh oooh
We'll never get to heaven with the artillery in tow
So when the dark times come, it might warm your heart to know
That I went to the crossroads but the devil never showed
They can stick their war, I'm leaving now
It makes no difference to me
I'm hoping if you know where I am
Send your heart in a telegram
I'm praying that you know where I am
Be upstairs ready my angel
Be ready when I call
And then my angel I'll be ready too and I will catch you when you fall
Do you remember like I remember
All the dirty things you said?
Do you remember like I remember
Or was it all in my head?
So when the dark times come well I will song you a good time song
I'm pretending that it's ending but it kills me to act so strong
To gaze in your eyes makes all the difference to me
So
who's got the clap
Who's got the clap
Give yourself a clap now
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