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'm just waiting for
The man to come with all my things
And I'm just waiting for
Another man to take it all
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
But I'm just waiting for the man to come and go away
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
You could be a nurse
It seems most sensible
For us to keep the purse strings tight
And move the decimals
A couple of places to the right
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
Oh it seems most sensible
But not exactly what we'd like
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
You know we all could be cursed
I can't help being like this
So don't re-arrange it
I don't mean to be a dick
I just don't like the changes
And I can't help things I say
You know I wouldn't to strangers
But I don't like going away
Because it puts me in danger
I can tell you now
There ain't a problem 'can't be solved
With a good old fashioned row
So grit your teeth and stand your ground
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
But I'm still waiting for the man to come with all my things
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
And you can leave in a hearse
The man to come with all my things
And I'm just waiting for
Another man to take it all
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
But I'm just waiting for the man to come and go away
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
You could be a nurse
It seems most sensible
For us to keep the purse strings tight
And move the decimals
A couple of places to the right
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
Oh it seems most sensible
But not exactly what we'd like
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
You know we all could be cursed
I can't help being like this
So don't re-arrange it
I don't mean to be a dick
I just don't like the changes
And I can't help things I say
You know I wouldn't to strangers
But I don't like going away
Because it puts me in danger
I can tell you now
There ain't a problem 'can't be solved
With a good old fashioned row
So grit your teeth and stand your ground
And it's not hard to tell
That I've learnt my lesson well
But I'm still waiting for the man to come with all my things
What are you waiting for?
Get up off your seat
It's just seven days
It feels like a week
What are you moaning for?
You got all that you want
Life could be worse
And you can leave in a hearse
Lyrics submitted by romanceisdead
Learnt My Lesson Well Lyrics as written by Charles Richard Wilson Andrew Robert White
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I have to disagree with sidewalk. I love this album!
But anyways, some of these lyrics don't make sense like 'you could be a nurse' ????? but I think the song is basically about a guy with money problems. Or maybe he robbed a bank. Lol.