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.
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene
With a gangsta lean
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene
With a gangsta lean
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene
With a gangsta lean, wooh-ooh-ooh
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Lyrics submitted by VampedVixen
Be Thankful for What You Got Lyrics as written by William Devaughan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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@mojamma Yes BUT he's also defining that car to a T and talking about how gangsta it is to own one. This is one of those songs that have a cross meaning.
this to me is the definitive gangsta song.... my kid wanted to know exactly hat these lines meant Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene With a gangster lean ooh ooh ooh Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
so I explained what a white walled tire was and why there were tv antennas in da back, but I told her its not necessarily so specific.
the words of the song and the sound of the song define a moment in time a moment in time when you imagine yourself kicking back on a sunny day with your girl by your side nowhere to be right away, you are in that laid back super cool gansta state of mind, just cruising the boulevard and checking out the people passing by.
"Diamond in the back" refers to the vintage 1970-1980 Cadillac series. The rear windows had a diamond shape.
(I wanna...) Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene with a gangsta lean
"with a gangsta lean..." -- A gangsta lean is a common driving position in which the driver holds the wheel with his left hand while leaning to his right toward the passenger seat, usually bobbing his head or bumpin' with the beat. It's a pretty badass way to drive. This move works best in a Chevy Caprice IMHO.
"diggin [on] the scene" = Out for a stroll in a car, preferably nice one , people watching and socializing. From Urban Dictionary.