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 was dead for half an hour
I woke up in the shower
I was twelve years old
And I was wearin clothes
Dripping with the thought of how maybe I am not all that essential to the way
I waste all of my days
And it is all or nothing,
then it's all gone
You remind me of myself
Seen from towers and high shelves
The view's only in sight
When seen from super heights
And with the vision of it
I will do all that I can
to feel my limbs again
I'm staring at the drain
And it is all or nothing
Then it's all gone
Yeah, it's all or nothing
Then it's all gone
But maybe I am wrong
Any time musicians play,
That determines when conductors sway lots
And in a foreign dialect
the angels came to my defense
and said these words to me
Approximately they said,
"Wordplay is the foreplay of the gods"
Yeah, wordplay is the foreplay of the gods
And it is all or nothing
Till it's all gone
It's all or nothing,
Then it's all gone
Maybe I am wrong
Any time musicians play
that determines when conductors sway
Or is it how conductors sway
that determines when musicians play on? on!
I woke up in the shower
I was twelve years old
And I was wearin clothes
Dripping with the thought of how maybe I am not all that essential to the way
I waste all of my days
And it is all or nothing,
then it's all gone
You remind me of myself
Seen from towers and high shelves
The view's only in sight
When seen from super heights
And with the vision of it
I will do all that I can
to feel my limbs again
I'm staring at the drain
And it is all or nothing
Then it's all gone
Yeah, it's all or nothing
Then it's all gone
But maybe I am wrong
Any time musicians play,
That determines when conductors sway lots
And in a foreign dialect
the angels came to my defense
and said these words to me
Approximately they said,
"Wordplay is the foreplay of the gods"
Yeah, wordplay is the foreplay of the gods
And it is all or nothing
Till it's all gone
It's all or nothing,
Then it's all gone
Maybe I am wrong
Any time musicians play
that determines when conductors sway
Or is it how conductors sway
that determines when musicians play on? on!
Lyrics submitted by tastemaker
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