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.
If you’re walking home tonight,
Say your prayers, keep to the streetlights.
I know I’m on your mind
With the worst intentions.
And I'm working up
The guts to say you weren't enough.
Fuck what your friends will say;
I never was about you anyway.
And I know
It's not me—
It's your ruse and cigarettes,
Your lack of sensibility.
So let go,
Forget me;
You’re lost just like the rest
And not taking my stability.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
It’s bad enough
That every day I can’t wake up;
And I can't sing along to songs about me.
And I'm working up
(I'm working up)
The guts to say you weren't enough.
So fuck what your friends will say;
Alex is a boy's name anyway.
And I know
It's not me—
It's your ruse and cigarettes,
Your lack of sensibility.
So let go,
Forget me;
You’re lost just like the rest
And not taking my stability.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
I’m jaded, so jaded,
And I wish you nothing more.
I’m jaded, so jaded,
And I wish you nothing more.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
You're a walking disaster,
If I knew one.
Say your prayers, keep to the streetlights.
I know I’m on your mind
With the worst intentions.
And I'm working up
The guts to say you weren't enough.
Fuck what your friends will say;
I never was about you anyway.
And I know
It's not me—
It's your ruse and cigarettes,
Your lack of sensibility.
So let go,
Forget me;
You’re lost just like the rest
And not taking my stability.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
It’s bad enough
That every day I can’t wake up;
And I can't sing along to songs about me.
And I'm working up
(I'm working up)
The guts to say you weren't enough.
So fuck what your friends will say;
Alex is a boy's name anyway.
And I know
It's not me—
It's your ruse and cigarettes,
Your lack of sensibility.
So let go,
Forget me;
You’re lost just like the rest
And not taking my stability.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
I’m jaded, so jaded,
And I wish you nothing more.
I’m jaded, so jaded,
And I wish you nothing more.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re love’s pariah, her renegade;
I know it’s not in my head,
It’s not in my head.
You’re a walking disaster, you need to grow up.
I wish you nothing more.
Nothing more, nothing more.
You're a walking disaster,
If I knew one.
Lyrics submitted by fueledbytomothy, edited by ClarityNHZach
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Song Meaning- I'm thinking this is about a guy who has just recently gotten over/come to his sense about his ex. ((I'm working up the guts/to say you weren't enough)) She's a crazy, manipulative woman (your ruse and cigarettes, your lack of sensibility) (I know it's not in my head) who is immature and is headed toward a bleak future. It's basically a situation where she broke his heart, but he realizes that she's screwed without him and that he's better off on his own. (your love's pariah) -Sean
Yea I agree. That's what I thought it was about