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.
Try talking to you
While you do, while you do
I swap places with you
Just to see things through
Just sing me the tune
And you'll see
I'll keep it here for you
I'll wait for your cue
You wrote down all the words
Black and white
On a wall
Just keepin' it so
Yeah you know how it goes
No plans for a change, nothing strange
No not today no way
Now sing me the tune
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
So you twist and you turn
Uncomfortable fool, you'll never learn
But you can take a stand
Forget all about the plans California rose
Side one track two
On a record of you
I've even stuck on a groove
That I don't wanna lose
Just play it again, as a friend
It's your favorite worn-in shoes
Now sing me the tune
Cash it in and throw it all away, yeah
Never needed any of it anyway
So you crash, and you burn
Sometimes the road will twist and turn
Some of this, less of that
Forget all about the map California road
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away, yeah
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
While you do, while you do
I swap places with you
Just to see things through
Just sing me the tune
And you'll see
I'll keep it here for you
I'll wait for your cue
You wrote down all the words
Black and white
On a wall
Just keepin' it so
Yeah you know how it goes
No plans for a change, nothing strange
No not today no way
Now sing me the tune
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
So you twist and you turn
Uncomfortable fool, you'll never learn
But you can take a stand
Forget all about the plans California rose
Side one track two
On a record of you
I've even stuck on a groove
That I don't wanna lose
Just play it again, as a friend
It's your favorite worn-in shoes
Now sing me the tune
Cash it in and throw it all away, yeah
Never needed any of it anyway
So you crash, and you burn
Sometimes the road will twist and turn
Some of this, less of that
Forget all about the map California road
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away, yeah
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
Cash it in and throw it all away
Never needed any of it anyway
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This is my first Zero 7 song and now I am a fan of all their music. I especially love their infectious instrumental grooves. But there is something about this song and its still my all time favorite Zero 7 song.
I am not sure about what the lyrics mean but I think there's a little bit of mystery to every great lyric.
I think the other people posting have pretty much nailed it, though.