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.
Folding my clothes
And I feel useless
Don't think I know
How to do this
Once I was told
But like any misfit
I spit on some good advice
Out in the cold
And tryin' to make fire
Two sticks and stone
Still got no fire
Once I was shown
But I was inside then
And spit on that good advice
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
On the payroll
And digging up ditches
Dollar is low
So are my wages
Once I was told
Just how to get rich
But I spit on that good advice
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
I wanna trade my dimwits in for tips
Tips equipped with
Wisdom, wisdom
Take off my clothes
And I feel useless
Don't think I know
How to do this
Once I was told
But I like to fidget
And miss out on good advice
And I feel useless
Don't think I know
How to do this
Once I was told
But like any misfit
I spit on some good advice
Out in the cold
And tryin' to make fire
Two sticks and stone
Still got no fire
Once I was shown
But I was inside then
And spit on that good advice
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
On the payroll
And digging up ditches
Dollar is low
So are my wages
Once I was told
Just how to get rich
But I spit on that good advice
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Wisdom, wisdom
Where can I get some?
Wisdom, wisdom
I wanna trade my dimwits in for tips
Tips equipped with
Wisdom, wisdom
Take off my clothes
And I feel useless
Don't think I know
How to do this
Once I was told
But I like to fidget
And miss out on good advice
Lyrics submitted by korq, edited by scareakeets
Wisdom Lyrics as written by Ryan Guldemond
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
every time I hear this song I always think it's "I wanna trade my dimwits in for tits" lol yeah I'm always like what?!?! lol
Me too! It sounds like "I wanna trade my dimwits in for tits. Tits equipped with wisdom, wisdom"