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.
you can sit on your ass and get old
and know there's nothing wrong with that so
you can numb yourself with all your pills
and say "i'm ok"
but somethin tells me we didn't evolve
to be content with TV and malls
and my back aches from soft beds and chairs
and opposible thumbs lead to carpel tunnel
and my eyes burn when i drive at night
my teeth rot from all of my sweets
and my head aches without the caffeine
and my body wont rise for your 9 to 5
the west simply grew up too soon
and our bodies dont know what to do
with all these boxes lines and hoops we jump through
just to come home to an unmade bed and prime time
cuz maybe darwin was right
and if he is then the west wont survive
the cancer will claim you well before your prime
if we don't slash our wrists just to feel alive
and know there's nothing wrong with that so
you can numb yourself with all your pills
and say "i'm ok"
but somethin tells me we didn't evolve
to be content with TV and malls
and my back aches from soft beds and chairs
and opposible thumbs lead to carpel tunnel
and my eyes burn when i drive at night
my teeth rot from all of my sweets
and my head aches without the caffeine
and my body wont rise for your 9 to 5
the west simply grew up too soon
and our bodies dont know what to do
with all these boxes lines and hoops we jump through
just to come home to an unmade bed and prime time
cuz maybe darwin was right
and if he is then the west wont survive
the cancer will claim you well before your prime
if we don't slash our wrists just to feel alive
Lyrics submitted by imp
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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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Great version of a great song,
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i forgot to add "booya" at the end sorry guys
no problem, what does matter is that I love this song, and this band.