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.
My only weapon was my pen
But I traded it for my hand
Not a smart move, but mine knew
Does this say I'm a man?
My only lesson was in my brains
But I traded them for my hand
Not a smart move, or a great move
Does this put pay to our plan?
Hey, hey,
You'll never get to heaven if you don't give back
So give back a little twist
If you wanna a lend a hand,
Wave, wave
No need to for a phase shift
You do the dance through
You may learn a little bit about those things you do
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
My only weapon was my pen
But I traded it for my hand
Not a smart move, but mine knew
Does this say I'm a man?
My only lesson was in my brains
But I traded them for my hand
Not a smart move, or a great move
Does this put pay to our plan?
Hey, hey,
You'll never get to heaven if you don't give back
So give back a little twist
If you wanna a lend a hand,
Wave, wave, wave
No need to for a phase shift
You do the dance through
You may learn a little bit about those things you do
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
But I traded it for my hand
Not a smart move, but mine knew
Does this say I'm a man?
My only lesson was in my brains
But I traded them for my hand
Not a smart move, or a great move
Does this put pay to our plan?
Hey, hey,
You'll never get to heaven if you don't give back
So give back a little twist
If you wanna a lend a hand,
Wave, wave
No need to for a phase shift
You do the dance through
You may learn a little bit about those things you do
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
My only weapon was my pen
But I traded it for my hand
Not a smart move, but mine knew
Does this say I'm a man?
My only lesson was in my brains
But I traded them for my hand
Not a smart move, or a great move
Does this put pay to our plan?
Hey, hey,
You'll never get to heaven if you don't give back
So give back a little twist
If you wanna a lend a hand,
Wave, wave, wave
No need to for a phase shift
You do the dance through
You may learn a little bit about those things you do
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Sir, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
Girl, I've a good mind to take you outside, outside, outside
I'm only going to heaven if it feels like hell
I'm only going to heaven if it tastes like caramel
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