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.
[Chorus:]
I'm having a private party
Ain't nobody here but me, my angels, and my guitar, singin'
"Baby, look how far we've come, yeah"
I'm havin' a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I've become, yeah
I tried to call my mother, but
She didn't get where I was going
I called my boyfriend, and he said
"Call me back a little later, baby."
I hung up the phone, I felt so alone
Started to feel a little pity
That's when I realized that I
Gotta find the joy inside of me
[Chorus]
I'm gonna take off all my clothes
Look at myself in the mirror
We're gonna have a conversation
We're gonna heal the disconnection
I don't remember when it started
But this is where it's gonna end
My body is beautiful and sacred
And I'm gonna celebrate it
[Chorus]
All my life (all my life)
I've been looking for (I've been looking for)
Somebody else (else)
To make me whole (oh)
But I had to learn the hard way (oh)
True love began with me (oh)
This is not ego or vanity (oh)
I'm just celebrating me
[Chorus]
Sometimes I'm alone, but never lonely
That's what I've come to realize
I've learned to love the quiet moments
The Sunday mornings of life
Where I can reach deep down inside
Or out into the universe
I can laugh until I cry
Or I can cry away the hurt
[Chorus]
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to me (Happy birthday to me, ooo)
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
[Chorus x 2]
I'm having a private party
Ain't nobody here but me, my angels, and my guitar, singin'
"Baby, look how far we've come, yeah"
I'm havin' a private party
Learning how to love me
Celebrating the woman I've become, yeah
I tried to call my mother, but
She didn't get where I was going
I called my boyfriend, and he said
"Call me back a little later, baby."
I hung up the phone, I felt so alone
Started to feel a little pity
That's when I realized that I
Gotta find the joy inside of me
[Chorus]
I'm gonna take off all my clothes
Look at myself in the mirror
We're gonna have a conversation
We're gonna heal the disconnection
I don't remember when it started
But this is where it's gonna end
My body is beautiful and sacred
And I'm gonna celebrate it
[Chorus]
All my life (all my life)
I've been looking for (I've been looking for)
Somebody else (else)
To make me whole (oh)
But I had to learn the hard way (oh)
True love began with me (oh)
This is not ego or vanity (oh)
I'm just celebrating me
[Chorus]
Sometimes I'm alone, but never lonely
That's what I've come to realize
I've learned to love the quiet moments
The Sunday mornings of life
Where I can reach deep down inside
Or out into the universe
I can laugh until I cry
Or I can cry away the hurt
[Chorus]
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to me (Happy birthday to me, ooo)
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday
[Chorus x 2]
Lyrics submitted by Pryncess33
Private Party Lyrics as written by Branden Burch India Arie
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this happens to me all the tme
i wake up in the morning and i'm all alone, I look in the mirror and watch myself and just think...yeah, another day, look at what i got, i got outta school, found a job, got into a band...i'm happy about it.... and then i just feel good with that, i just dance around, put some good music and incense and treat myself up!
this is great. because you can actually tell that india loves herself. not arrogantly but just genuine self-respect. its beautiful. she oozes self-love!
she's comfortable in her own skin..."alone but never lonely" is a great line. This song is an all natural anti-deppressant.