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.
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
E-e-everybody know that face
Even with her head low, they still know that shape
When she come through the club, people take they place
Chicks throwin' handcuffs 'cause they knowin' they man ain't safe
'Cause she the one switchin' up flows (flows)
If it's four door, two gotta go (go)
Chicks like, what kinda jeans is those? (those)
And fellas watchin' like, please, get low (please, get low)
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
E-e-everybody can't do this
Some ain't gotta clue till they hear me spit
Achoo, I spew 'cause yo' girl is sick
Is it the change or the hips--you can't tell, but you know it's thick
'Cause she the one switchin' up flows (flows)
If it's four door, two gotta go (go)
Chicks like, what kinda jeans is those? (those)
And fellas watchin' like, please, get low
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
For this type of girl it's not that hard
You see her 'cause she too far gone
Though they pray and pray for her downfall
(They pray and pray for her downfall)
Why they gotta be so envious?
Doin' what it do fit to be a plus
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey)
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey)
Back up, back up
Back up
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey
(Shh)
Back it up now
Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
E-e-everybody know that face
Even with her head low, they still know that shape
When she come through the club, people take they place
Chicks throwin' handcuffs 'cause they knowin' they man ain't safe
'Cause she the one switchin' up flows (flows)
If it's four door, two gotta go (go)
Chicks like, what kinda jeans is those? (those)
And fellas watchin' like, please, get low (please, get low)
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
E-e-everybody can't do this
Some ain't gotta clue till they hear me spit
Achoo, I spew 'cause yo' girl is sick
Is it the change or the hips--you can't tell, but you know it's thick
'Cause she the one switchin' up flows (flows)
If it's four door, two gotta go (go)
Chicks like, what kinda jeans is those? (those)
And fellas watchin' like, please, get low
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
She ain't the average chick, she the baddest chick
For this type of girl it's not that hard
You see her 'cause she too far gone
Though they pray and pray for her downfall
(They pray and pray for her downfall)
Why they gotta be so envious?
Doin' what it do fit to be a plus
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey)
Hey (hey), hey (hey), hey (hey)
Back up, back up
Back up
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
When you see that girl comin', back up
She ain't yo' average chick, back up
This is for the, the, the club
And this is for the people on the, the, the block
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey
(Shh)
Back it up now
Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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,
Love it, it's kinda obvious unless I've got this worng lol, girl goes out, other girls are very jealous and pray for her down fall...so back up?
lol
Love it. Clearly a self-aggrandizing song, and a slight kiss-off to her huge amount of haters.