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.
Tonight I'm staring at the moonlight
Tonight I'm wondering how this could've felt so right
And I could say it was a good time
But I can hardly say a thing
He's got you right where he wants you
Right where he wants you
He's going outside in the middle of the night with you
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
No I'm fine, I can go another time with you
But tell me why would I want to
And will you still be feeling alright
In the morning with the sun creeping through the blinds?
And will you say it was a good time?
And you will you tell him anything?
He's got you right where he wants you
Right where he wants you
He's going outside in the middle of the night with you
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
No I'm fine, I can go another time with you
But tell me why would I want to
He's going outside in the middle of the night with you
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
No I'm fine, I can go another time with you
But tell me why would I want to
And I've been away for far too long it seems
And this new group of friends is making me, ready again to leave
I'm ready again to leave
He's going outside in the middle of the night with you
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
No I'm fine, I can go another time with you
But tell me why would I want to
He's going outside in the middle of the night with you
Tell me what I'm supposed to do
No I'm fine, I can go another time with you
But tell me why would I want to
But tell me why would I want to
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
Middle of the Night Lyrics as written by Dan Koch
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with Spratty59 on this. He was hoping to get something started, I feel. Maybe not just hook-up but maybe a relationship as he talks of how "It felt so right", which could be referring to how it felt like some was there with her. But, she runs off with someone else. So, by running off with the other guy, he questions what it is he saw in her in the first place. Even if he gets another chance, does he really want to take it? (No I'm fine, I can go another time with you, But tell me why would I want to).
I feel the verse: "(And will you still be feeling alright In the morning with the sun creeping through the blinds? And will you say it was a good time? And you will you tell him anything? He's got you right where he wants you Right where he wants you")
Is the singer wondering if the morning after this girl and this guy hook up she will tell him she had a good time and if she will fell ashamed. It also conveys the other guy is manipulative and really has an ulterior motive for his actions.