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.
And I, I wanted to tear down the curtains
To let, let in some natural light
I wake up and open one eye
And wait for the window to crack at me, alone
And I, I wanted to curl up beside you
And die, at least for an hour or more
Depending on how you react
Depending on how you respond to me
I'll stick around
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even with a fast car and a cellphone I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
So tonight, let's be as bold as we want to
And drink, drink 'til we fall down the steps
Remember how that made us laugh
Remember how all that we did was laugh, and cry
Well, we're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
And I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway that I can call home
So tonight, let's be as bold as we want to run, four eyes ohhh
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway that I can call home
So don't take your eyes off me, don't look away
I won't be alone
At home
To let, let in some natural light
I wake up and open one eye
And wait for the window to crack at me, alone
And I, I wanted to curl up beside you
And die, at least for an hour or more
Depending on how you react
Depending on how you respond to me
I'll stick around
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even with a fast car and a cellphone I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
So tonight, let's be as bold as we want to
And drink, drink 'til we fall down the steps
Remember how that made us laugh
Remember how all that we did was laugh, and cry
Well, we're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
And I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway that I can call home
So tonight, let's be as bold as we want to run, four eyes ohhh
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what do you want from me
'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'cause I can leave home
We're kidding ourselves kidding ourselves
So what are you waiting for
'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway that I can call home
So don't take your eyes off me, don't look away
I won't be alone
At home
Lyrics submitted by Tribabe2007
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PS - I thought I should also mention that these lyrics were written out incorrectly. They're mostly right, but this is what was in the CD case.
And I, I wanted to tear down the curtains To let, let in some natural light I wake up and open one eye And wait for the window to crack at me Alone
And I, I wanted to curl up beside you And die At least for an hour or more Depending on how you react Depending on how you respond to me I'll stick around
We're killing ourselves, Killing ourselves So what do you want from me 'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright 'Cause I can leave home We're kidding ourselves Kidding ourselves So what are you waiting for 'Cause even with a fast car and a cellphone, I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone
So tonight, let's be as bold as we want to And drink Drink 'till we fall down the steps Remember how that made us laugh Remember how all that we did was laugh And then cry
Well, we're killing ourselves Killing ourselves So what do you want from me 'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxicab I'm alright, 'Cause I can leave home We're kidding ourselves Kidding ourselves So what are you waiting for 'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane, I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone And I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway That I can call home
So tonight Let's be as bold as we want to
We're killing ourselves, Killing ourselves So what do you want from me 'Cause as long as there's a payphone and a taxi cab I'm alright, 'Cause I can leave home We're kidding ourselves Kidding ourselves So what are you waiting for 'Cause even on a boat a train or a jet plane, I won't leave 'cause I'd be alone I'm lucky to find cardboard in an alleyway that I can call home So don't take your eyes off me, Don't look away. You wont be alone.