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.
It's closing time and it's getting late
Can you fetch my coat?
'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
But I want to stay
Don't you want to stay as well?
I don't think that you do
I've got this funny feeling
That you don't feel like I do
This conversation's just passing you by
I know it, I can see it in your eyes
You've had one too many, low and behold
You're telling the secrets that can't be told
It feels so special, it feels so right
But then you knock me back and I fall
I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
My minds being warmed up
By that little token of you
In your little way
But they're sleeping in your today
And now beeps the phone
I fumble round to answer
But I end up with it on hold
Late night taxis keep passing me by
I feel sick and look to the sky
I've had one too many, low and behold
The late night lovers stay out in the cold
I ring your number and feel so bold
You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance was paradise
Just give him a chance
Just give him a sign or something
Tell him what you want
'Cause before too long he'll find somebody else
It's then that you'll know you want him more
You call his name and he doesn't respond
He knocks you back and you fall
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a waiting list
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a shopping list
Can you fetch my coat?
'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
But I want to stay
Don't you want to stay as well?
I don't think that you do
I've got this funny feeling
That you don't feel like I do
This conversation's just passing you by
I know it, I can see it in your eyes
You've had one too many, low and behold
You're telling the secrets that can't be told
It feels so special, it feels so right
But then you knock me back and I fall
I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
My minds being warmed up
By that little token of you
In your little way
But they're sleeping in your today
And now beeps the phone
I fumble round to answer
But I end up with it on hold
Late night taxis keep passing me by
I feel sick and look to the sky
I've had one too many, low and behold
The late night lovers stay out in the cold
I ring your number and feel so bold
You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance was paradise
Just give him a chance
Just give him a sign or something
Tell him what you want
'Cause before too long he'll find somebody else
It's then that you'll know you want him more
You call his name and he doesn't respond
He knocks you back and you fall
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a waiting list
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a shopping list
Lyrics submitted by ThrilledByMusic
What You Could've Won Lyrics as written by Joseph Thomas Green Joseph Carnall
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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my favourite song by Milburn...
i see it as being a little story : guy goes out and gets plastered with some mates and wanted to try it on with a girl ("all he wanted was a kiss") just as the club or pub is closing, and when he goes for it he gets knocked back and "falls" because he is so leathered. He is then walking home at night drunk after being knocked back at the club; he doesn't manage to get to his phone on time or get a taxi and he's starting to feel sick so the night is ending up a total blow-out... Then because he is so drunk, he feels bored and makes a drunken call to the girl from earlier, but she maybe knocks him back again or tells him off for phoning because he is drunk and he "falls"...
"your ignorance was bliss" - maybe she was happy before she knew he liked her, but in the back of her mind she does like him so she tries to get with the guy, but maybe because she had knocked him back before or because he is sober now, the man knocks her back... and she "falls"
so it all ends in full circle