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.
How are you going to top yourself
When there is nobody else
How are you gonna do it by yourself
Cause I'm not gonna be here to help you
Yeah
(Alright)
How you gonna top yourself
When there is nobody else
How are you gonna do it by yourself
Cause I'm not gonna be here to help you
How you gonna do it alone?
When I don't pick up my phone
I'd love to give a dog a bone
But I'm not gonna stick around to help you!
Yeah, How you gonna stop yourself when,
your man stops ringing your bell (your bell)
You're right between heaven and hell
And you gonna need the good lord to help you
How I'm gonna make you see?
That this ain't no way to be
See you been getting it all for free
Guess you better get yourself a sugar daddy to help you!
Such a little girl, like a spinning time mama
But she's, spinning out of control
Take sleeping with a snake like you to
Rip apart my soul!
Yeah!
Rip apart my soul
Rip apart my soul
Yeah
How're you gonna rock yourself to sleep
When I give up my midnight creep girl
How're gonna get that deep
When your daddy ain't around here to do it to you
Yeah, how you're gonna do it alone?
When I don't pick up my phone
I'd love to give a dog a bone
But I'm not gonna stick around to help you!
Top yourself
Top yourself
Top yourself
When there is nobody else
How are you gonna do it by yourself
Cause I'm not gonna be here to help you
Yeah
(Alright)
How you gonna top yourself
When there is nobody else
How are you gonna do it by yourself
Cause I'm not gonna be here to help you
How you gonna do it alone?
When I don't pick up my phone
I'd love to give a dog a bone
But I'm not gonna stick around to help you!
Yeah, How you gonna stop yourself when,
your man stops ringing your bell (your bell)
You're right between heaven and hell
And you gonna need the good lord to help you
How I'm gonna make you see?
That this ain't no way to be
See you been getting it all for free
Guess you better get yourself a sugar daddy to help you!
Such a little girl, like a spinning time mama
But she's, spinning out of control
Take sleeping with a snake like you to
Rip apart my soul!
Yeah!
Rip apart my soul
Rip apart my soul
Yeah
How're you gonna rock yourself to sleep
When I give up my midnight creep girl
How're gonna get that deep
When your daddy ain't around here to do it to you
Yeah, how you're gonna do it alone?
When I don't pick up my phone
I'd love to give a dog a bone
But I'm not gonna stick around to help you!
Top yourself
Top yourself
Top yourself
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Sex.