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.
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Thought it wasn't right to tease me
When no one was around
And you turned me up, and you broke my heart
And you said, yeah you heard every sound
Got really hot in the morning
So I went to blow me down
And you don't know when the lights went out
But the lights are out now
Don't know what you do, but oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Supposed to connect some New York boys
Would have had to go way out of town
And I want no drugs, couldn't get the stuff
And you know what, I think they hate me now
Got really hot in the morning
So I went to blow me down
And you don't know when the lights went out
But the lights are out now
Don't know what you do, but oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Thought it wasn't right to tease me
When no one was around
And you turned me up, and you broke my heart
And you said, yeah you heard every sound
Got really hot in the morning
So I went to blow me down
And you don't know when the lights went out
But the lights are out now
Don't know what you do, but oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Supposed to connect some New York boys
Would have had to go way out of town
And I want no drugs, couldn't get the stuff
And you know what, I think they hate me now
Got really hot in the morning
So I went to blow me down
And you don't know when the lights went out
But the lights are out now
Don't know what you do, but oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Why can't I be like the one who went over?
It's over, get over, woah-oh
Lyrics submitted by ,tAn-x
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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,
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whoah, no comments, this song is by far my favourite cribs song the lyrics are slightly non sensical, im sure there is a meaning but i cant decipher, nevertheless a bloody amazing song, if you havent heard it yet, listen to it!
It has a romantic feel to it, in the chorus especially but I'm not sure. Anyhow, fantastic song!