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.
I only wanted what everyone wanted
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
All I desire is to never be waiting.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
All they desire is to give and to please.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about me.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Will we always be like little kids
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Don't know who loves me!
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos trying to run.
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
All I desire is to never be waiting.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
All they desire is to give and to please.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about me.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Will we always be like little kids
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Don't know who loves me!
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos trying to run.
Lyrics submitted by tinylittlewords
The Lottery Lyrics as written by Ernie Parada
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i love the feminism references she makes. i think this song has a lot to say about waiting for somebody that's worth it, as opposed to flaunting and selling any and every ounce of sexuality you have in you just to get some attention from a false love.
i think a lot of females settle for less because they are afraid that they won't find the "perfect one". when she talks to "heather" about forever, i think she's saying that when you are looking for love you can't be worried about things like that, because in the end you never know, and it's all kind of a game of chance that everyone has to play.
i love the last part of the song where she talks about the desperation that girls go through to find love wherever they can being "pathetic" and "impossible", and much like girls in stilettos, who are painfully and desperately trying.