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.
Take me somewhere I've never been before
Open my eyes just a little, leave me wanting more
When they tell you it's all for the money, all for the money
Raise your voice so you can tell somebody, tell somebody
When all you hold in your heart slips away, you have to choose
Fall behind, make a change, or change your mind
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
Sing me something I've never heard before
Open my heart just a little, leave me wanting more
When they tell you it's all for the money, all for the money
Raise your voice and you can tell somebody, tell somebody
When all you hold in your heart slips away, you have to choose
Fall behind, make a change, or change your mind
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
Looks like we didn't get far in a getaway car
You can't break free no matter where you are
It feels like home is just a time and a place
You find yourself in an empty space
You better go on, get up, get out
It's all you've ever known
Don't even think about it
Go on, get up, get out
It's all you've ever known
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
Open my eyes just a little, leave me wanting more
When they tell you it's all for the money, all for the money
Raise your voice so you can tell somebody, tell somebody
When all you hold in your heart slips away, you have to choose
Fall behind, make a change, or change your mind
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
Sing me something I've never heard before
Open my heart just a little, leave me wanting more
When they tell you it's all for the money, all for the money
Raise your voice and you can tell somebody, tell somebody
When all you hold in your heart slips away, you have to choose
Fall behind, make a change, or change your mind
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
Looks like we didn't get far in a getaway car
You can't break free no matter where you are
It feels like home is just a time and a place
You find yourself in an empty space
You better go on, get up, get out
It's all you've ever known
Don't even think about it
Go on, get up, get out
It's all you've ever known
Go on, get up, get out
Don't even think about it
You don't need to leave it behind
But you can live without it
Jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive
And now, everybody's messing it up
No, we don't talk about how
Everything is falling apart
Well then you go around
It's everything that you couldn't find with an open mind
It's all you've ever known
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Dave said: "My personal favorite song is 'Getaway Car.' It means the most to me. It's just about chasing your dreams. Trusting everything to the wind and going for it. For me, that summarized everything we were trying to do at the time. So, that song really resonates with me personally and the rest of the guys in the band. It's my favorite song to play live, as well."