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.
Sitting in the office
Sitting in your chair
The temporary positions
Friends that disappear
Call a toll-free number
Voicemail message clear
You might need some assistance
Sorry, no one's there
You said
You said
You caught me
In the middle of a bad time again
Meaning you are living
Leaving you alive
Like everybody else
In the middle of a bad time
Who's that call waiting
On the telephone line
And new friends can get fragile
Scrambling for time with you
A bad time
Bad time
In the middle of a bad time
How long I've been waiting
And collecting calls
Yeah don't you want to know
You got lots of messages from
All over town
Some of them know you
But most of them are just business as usual
You said
You said
You caught me
In the middle of a bad time
What's the point of trying
To begin again
Or even finding out
In the middle of a bad time
Who gonna help you
When the elevator door jams
When all you've got are contracts
Couldn't give a damn
About you
A bad time
Bad time
Middle of a bad time
Sitting in your chair
The temporary positions
Friends that disappear
Call a toll-free number
Voicemail message clear
You might need some assistance
Sorry, no one's there
You said
You said
You caught me
In the middle of a bad time again
Meaning you are living
Leaving you alive
Like everybody else
In the middle of a bad time
Who's that call waiting
On the telephone line
And new friends can get fragile
Scrambling for time with you
A bad time
Bad time
In the middle of a bad time
How long I've been waiting
And collecting calls
Yeah don't you want to know
You got lots of messages from
All over town
Some of them know you
But most of them are just business as usual
You said
You said
You caught me
In the middle of a bad time
What's the point of trying
To begin again
Or even finding out
In the middle of a bad time
Who gonna help you
When the elevator door jams
When all you've got are contracts
Couldn't give a damn
About you
A bad time
Bad time
Middle of a bad time
Lyrics submitted by thither
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