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.
It's complicated
Technically I'm certified
A walking declaration
Of everything I couldn't get right
Time is just an anchor
But seven years I think I'm right
Now you've changed your number
It's like a noose around my life
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every penny I put away
Asking for flowers
Is like asking you to be nice
Don't tell me you're too tired
Ten years I've been working nights
My life is like a picture left
Out too long in the sun
Now I'm trying to remember all
The faces of the names I've loved
And all that's left of me now is
A cigarette burning bright
And a fading memory of all the things
I tried to get right
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every penny I put away
Asking for flowers
Is like asking you to be nice
Don't tell me you're too tired
10 years I've been working nights
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every bill I went and paid
Every card I signed my name
Every time I poured my heart out
Every threat you made to move out
Every cruel word you let just slip out
Every cruel word you let just slip out
Technically I'm certified
A walking declaration
Of everything I couldn't get right
Time is just an anchor
But seven years I think I'm right
Now you've changed your number
It's like a noose around my life
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every penny I put away
Asking for flowers
Is like asking you to be nice
Don't tell me you're too tired
Ten years I've been working nights
My life is like a picture left
Out too long in the sun
Now I'm trying to remember all
The faces of the names I've loved
And all that's left of me now is
A cigarette burning bright
And a fading memory of all the things
I tried to get right
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every penny I put away
Asking for flowers
Is like asking you to be nice
Don't tell me you're too tired
10 years I've been working nights
Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every bill I went and paid
Every card I signed my name
Every time I poured my heart out
Every threat you made to move out
Every cruel word you let just slip out
Every cruel word you let just slip out
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