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.
They tore my high school to the ground and
Put a new wing in the east lot
On my old parking spot
It stands reminding me of how
I wish that I could travel back in time
Change my state of mind
So if you're still in your teens listen to me
It's hard to see beyond these walls
Of who (who) and who not to be
Socially
Maybe you're in you're out
But in the end when all your hats are in the air
Nobody's gonna care
So fair the weight
Freshmen hold on
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the queen of the nerds and the king of the prom get a job
Look at them now
She's living her dreams while he sleeps with his crown
So be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
Next time you're walking through your school
Take at who's surrounding you
Or hounding you
Cause it's all just castles in the sand
When your tassel's on the left side of your head
You're never going back
So hope
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the king of the nerds and the queen of the prom get a job
What did you know?
He's a CEO and she answers his phone
So be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
And as for your grades I know they're important
Everyone wants to be a wiz
Cause all of it goes on permanent transcripts
I just don't know where mine is
So fair the weight
Freshmen hold on cause every homecoming court moves on
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the queen of the nerds and the king of the prom get a job
Look at them now
She's living her dreams while he sleeps with his crown
So be cool, be hot, be weird oh
So be hot, be wild, you're here oh
Be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
Put a new wing in the east lot
On my old parking spot
It stands reminding me of how
I wish that I could travel back in time
Change my state of mind
So if you're still in your teens listen to me
It's hard to see beyond these walls
Of who (who) and who not to be
Socially
Maybe you're in you're out
But in the end when all your hats are in the air
Nobody's gonna care
So fair the weight
Freshmen hold on
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the queen of the nerds and the king of the prom get a job
Look at them now
She's living her dreams while he sleeps with his crown
So be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
Next time you're walking through your school
Take at who's surrounding you
Or hounding you
Cause it's all just castles in the sand
When your tassel's on the left side of your head
You're never going back
So hope
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the king of the nerds and the queen of the prom get a job
What did you know?
He's a CEO and she answers his phone
So be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
And as for your grades I know they're important
Everyone wants to be a wiz
Cause all of it goes on permanent transcripts
I just don't know where mine is
So fair the weight
Freshmen hold on cause every homecoming court moves on
It's only four years long
Then it's gone
And the queen of the nerds and the king of the prom get a job
Look at them now
She's living her dreams while he sleeps with his crown
So be cool, be hot, be weird oh
So be hot, be wild, you're here oh
Be cool, be hot, be weird
It's just four years
Lyrics submitted by gaitergonewild
Four Years Lyrics as written by Jonathan Michael Mclaughlin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think this could mean two things. one, i think it could mean that theres only four years, the best years of your life, so you may as well be who you are. "be cool, be hot, be weird". Or, two, it could mean in the end after four years everything can turn around, and one person may be popular and another a nerd, but after four years shes working as a CEO or manager, while hes sleeping with his crown, or holding onto his past because his current life and high school life are different..he was the popular guy who had the world at his feet, and she was the nerd who knew what she wanted. I like my first theory the best.