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.
Turn the lights off, turn the lights off
Your daddy better lock up his girl
Say a prayer boy, call on the cops
'Cause you ain't gotta run when the music comes on
Board up the doors, the windows
And keep your crying under your breath
'Cause I smell a drop of fear in a ten gallon tank
And I'm movin' in for the kill
Yeah, in the wild kingdom
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
Which one of you sons of bitches
Is going to make me feel alive?
Which one of you motherfuckers
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart attack? Whoa
It's a full moon, death in the sky
And the [Incomprehensible] circus is freaking out
Run for you life, cover your eyes
I don't want you to see me while I'm a little high
I've got a bone to pick with
The morning sun and the first five
But I didn't put my hair in a pony tail for nothing
So if I'm going home alone I'm not going at all
Yeah, in the wild kingdom
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
Which one of you sons of bitches
Is going to make me feel alive?
Which one of you motherfuckers
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get give me a heart attack?
Look away it's too much to bare
I've been bitten by the party animal
Save yourself, save yourself
And tell my baby that I loved her so
Don't cry, don't cry
I gave the world one hell of a time today
Don't regret a thing
Except for the times that I got caught givin' in
Hey, hey, hey
I never thought it would take
A hair [Incomprehensible]
So where are you supposed to escape
When the creature is lurking inside you?
Your daddy better lock up his girl
Say a prayer boy, call on the cops
'Cause you ain't gotta run when the music comes on
Board up the doors, the windows
And keep your crying under your breath
'Cause I smell a drop of fear in a ten gallon tank
And I'm movin' in for the kill
Yeah, in the wild kingdom
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
Which one of you sons of bitches
Is going to make me feel alive?
Which one of you motherfuckers
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart attack? Whoa
It's a full moon, death in the sky
And the [Incomprehensible] circus is freaking out
Run for you life, cover your eyes
I don't want you to see me while I'm a little high
I've got a bone to pick with
The morning sun and the first five
But I didn't put my hair in a pony tail for nothing
So if I'm going home alone I'm not going at all
Yeah, in the wild kingdom
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
You don't live 'til you're ready to die
Which one of you sons of bitches
Is going to make me feel alive?
Which one of you motherfuckers
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get inside my heart
Is going to get give me a heart attack?
Look away it's too much to bare
I've been bitten by the party animal
Save yourself, save yourself
And tell my baby that I loved her so
Don't cry, don't cry
I gave the world one hell of a time today
Don't regret a thing
Except for the times that I got caught givin' in
Hey, hey, hey
I never thought it would take
A hair [Incomprehensible]
So where are you supposed to escape
When the creature is lurking inside you?
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yeah you're right, it's party animal.