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.
How come he don't come and PLP with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Lyrics submitted by InSilenceEasy, edited by soulmach
Chuck E's in Love Lyrics as written by Rickie Lee Jones
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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My search indicates that p.l.p. might indicate "platonic life-partner", which is a chaste and non-sensual partnership/friendship. Perhaps Jones is using it as a verb meaning "hangout non-romantically", such as a no-strings attached friendship between a man and a woman. The connotation would be pretty much equal to commenter daviesr7's suggestion of "Public Leaning Post", which he says means someone you lean on physically in a friendly [often non-sensual] way. I assume "the meter" is a hangout place. So, "How come he don't come and p.l.p with me down at the meter no more?" probably means Jones isn't seeing Chuck at their usual hangout spots, and she's missing their friendly non-romantic fun times. NellieWhiskey's comment made me realize that they're roomates, and Chuck hangs "that sign on his door", because he doesn't want to be disburbed. She's wondering why his behavior has changed. "We call and we call", to Chuck saying, "what could make a boy behave this way?"
"He learn all the lines...he don't stutter..." suggests that Chuck has been taking up the practice of smooth talking. "He sure is acquired a cool and inspired ... walk..." meaning that Chuck has been walking with a new swagger and strutting to make an impression. "Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?" means Chuck has also been dressing to impress.
Given the signs and behaviors, Jones deduces that Chuck E. is in love. She starts hitting up all their hangout spots asking around for Chuck, but he's nowhere to be found. She is very curious to see and discover who Chuck's new love interest is. She finally sees Chuck sitting in a row behind her "down at the Pantages", which my research indicates is a chain of performing arts centers. She wonders what "he's got up his sleeve", suggesting that Chuck's demeanor appears different to her, and maybe his new attitude seems like a drag to her, so she says, "I hope it isn't contagious." Over time, she gets more and more curious about his love interest, continually asking, "Is that her there? What is her name?" She noticed that Chuck combed his hair, which is another attempt to impress someone. "Is that her? What's her name?" The she says, "Oh it's never gonna be the same," suggesting that she's afraid that another woman would interfere with her highly valued friendship with Chuck. Finally the truth clicks, and she discovers that none of the surrounding women are Chuck's love interest, because Chuck was in love with her all along! She finishes the song, "Chuck E.'s in love WITH ME" :) Sweet song.