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.
Maybe I'm the joker
Maybe I'm the fool in your eyes
Maybe I'm the weak one
Maybe I'm a lie in disguise
Maybe I'm angry
'Cause I'm the one who's always wrong
Maybe I'm not the one who's so strong
But did ya think about it?
Did ya pull it in and pull out?
Could you live without me?
Did you ever really have a doubt?
But do you understand it, baby
When you say it's over, it's done?
Maybe I'm not the one
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What ya did and what ya didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What it might have been
We can stand on reason
We can fight about all the things
This isn't for forever
This is more than a wedding ring
But do you understand it, baby
When you say it's over, it's done?
Maybe I'm not the one
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What I did and what I didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
Whoa, did it happen again?
The things that you wanted
For being a friend
How did it happen again?
Just look onward, baby
'Cause some day you might need a friend
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What we did and what we didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
I ain't wasting no more time
What it might have been
Maybe I'm the fool in your eyes
Maybe I'm the weak one
Maybe I'm a lie in disguise
Maybe I'm angry
'Cause I'm the one who's always wrong
Maybe I'm not the one who's so strong
But did ya think about it?
Did ya pull it in and pull out?
Could you live without me?
Did you ever really have a doubt?
But do you understand it, baby
When you say it's over, it's done?
Maybe I'm not the one
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What ya did and what ya didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What it might have been
We can stand on reason
We can fight about all the things
This isn't for forever
This is more than a wedding ring
But do you understand it, baby
When you say it's over, it's done?
Maybe I'm not the one
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What I did and what I didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
Whoa, did it happen again?
The things that you wanted
For being a friend
How did it happen again?
Just look onward, baby
'Cause some day you might need a friend
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better get going
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
What we did and what we didn't
So if you're gonna leave
Yeah, you better start running
'Cause I ain't wasting no more time
I ain't wasting no more time
What it might have been
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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tonic is a great band and the lead singer is a great song writer. excellent song.
I really like the way he stands up for himself and decides that he isn't going to waste anymore of his time with someone who doesn't even care to fix what's wrong. He accepts the fact that things need to move on and so does he. It is very sad tho because it sounds like a marriage breakin up and that is the worst.
i cried so hard when i first heard this cause it reminds me of what i'm going through. i think this song is about a relationship where the girl keeps bending him to the point where he almost breaks and then he realizes he cant take it anymore even though he loves her. hes just starting to realize shes not for him and it cant work out if they just fight liek this all the time.
Emerson has said in concert that this song was written when he and his wife were going through some very hard times.