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.
Put me in a special school 'cause I am such a fool
And I don't need a single book to teach me how to read
Who needs stupid books? They are for petty crooks
And I will learn by studying the lessons in my dreams
So turn off the TV, 'cause that's what others see
And movies are as bad as eating chocolate ice cream
They only sicken me, don't let me play football
I'll sack the quarterback and jack the brother of the ball
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
I picked up a guitar, what does this signify?
I'm going to play some heavy metal riffs and you will die
You wanted arts and crafts? How's this for arts and crafts?
Wa-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, that's right
I'm growing out my hair, I'm moving out to Cherokee
I'm going to be a rock star and you are gonna bear with me
Because I can't work a job like any other slob
Punching in and punching out and sucking up to Bob
Marrying a beeyotch, having seven keeyods
Giving up and growing old and hoping there's a God
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
I'm gonna be a star and people will crane necks
To get a glimpse of me and see if I am having sex
And studying my moves, they try to understand
Why I am so unlike the singers in the other bands
I'm such a mystery as anyone can see
There isn't anybody else exactly quite like me
And when it's party time, like 1999
I'll party by myself because I'm such a special guy
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker, never giving up
And I don't need a single book to teach me how to read
Who needs stupid books? They are for petty crooks
And I will learn by studying the lessons in my dreams
So turn off the TV, 'cause that's what others see
And movies are as bad as eating chocolate ice cream
They only sicken me, don't let me play football
I'll sack the quarterback and jack the brother of the ball
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
I picked up a guitar, what does this signify?
I'm going to play some heavy metal riffs and you will die
You wanted arts and crafts? How's this for arts and crafts?
Wa-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, that's right
I'm growing out my hair, I'm moving out to Cherokee
I'm going to be a rock star and you are gonna bear with me
Because I can't work a job like any other slob
Punching in and punching out and sucking up to Bob
Marrying a beeyotch, having seven keeyods
Giving up and growing old and hoping there's a God
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
I'm gonna be a star and people will crane necks
To get a glimpse of me and see if I am having sex
And studying my moves, they try to understand
Why I am so unlike the singers in the other bands
I'm such a mystery as anyone can see
There isn't anybody else exactly quite like me
And when it's party time, like 1999
I'll party by myself because I'm such a special guy
I'm a troublemaker, never been a faker
Doing things my own way and never giving up
I'm a troublemaker, not a double-taker
I don't have the patience to keep it on the up
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker
Keep it on the up, I'm a troublemaker, never giving up
Lyrics submitted by whybother737
Troublemaker Lyrics as written by Rivers Cuomo
Lyrics © E O Smith Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The arts and crafts line and marrying a beyottchhh part make this song incredible. So good.