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.
Yesterday you lay awake on your bed,
And worked out you?d done everything that you said,
That you knew therefore you'd got to be saved,
The lord of the bored and a slave to her (wage?)
[Chorus]
It's a mystery
Oh, it's a mystery
You want some history
Oh its a mystery
So last night you got up and out of this room,
The ceiling is peeling and covered in gloom,
Jaguar shoes is the best you deserve
Decision, a lesson you ought not to learn.
[Chorus]
Today as you shake off the drunken degree,
All that is left is the faint memory,
The downing,the drugs,all the nights on the tiles,
It?s hard to remember but totally worthwhile.
[Chorus]
It's a waste of money
You have to admit
And its a waste of money
You have to have it?
It's a waste of freedom
You have to resist
If you're wanting history
You've got it
It's a waste of money
You have to admit
And its a waste of money
You have to have it?
It's a waste of freedom
You have to resist
If you're wanting history
You've missed it
[Repeat: x2]
Don't stop moving
You mustn't stop moving
You can't stop moving
You must join in
Oh bit
And worked out you?d done everything that you said,
That you knew therefore you'd got to be saved,
The lord of the bored and a slave to her (wage?)
[Chorus]
It's a mystery
Oh, it's a mystery
You want some history
Oh its a mystery
So last night you got up and out of this room,
The ceiling is peeling and covered in gloom,
Jaguar shoes is the best you deserve
Decision, a lesson you ought not to learn.
[Chorus]
Today as you shake off the drunken degree,
All that is left is the faint memory,
The downing,the drugs,all the nights on the tiles,
It?s hard to remember but totally worthwhile.
[Chorus]
It's a waste of money
You have to admit
And its a waste of money
You have to have it?
It's a waste of freedom
You have to resist
If you're wanting history
You've got it
It's a waste of money
You have to admit
And its a waste of money
You have to have it?
It's a waste of freedom
You have to resist
If you're wanting history
You've missed it
[Repeat: x2]
Don't stop moving
You mustn't stop moving
You can't stop moving
You must join in
Oh bit
Lyrics submitted by lovelessnicole
You Want History Lyrics as written by Charles Richard Wilson Andrew White
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
No comments yet? Crazy! This is probably my favorite song on the whole album.
I think it might be about a guy who spent his whole life living well, taking care of all the things people need to do, like doing well in school and saving money and all that, but then one day he wakes up and finds that his life is too stable, normal and boring. So he suddenly becomes a party animal and maybe a drunk.
The second half of the song may be his old self kind of butting in on his current life. He knows it's all a waste of money and time, but it's too fun and exciting for him to pass up.
Whether he's living a totally boring or crazy life, there's no "history" because:
a. He never did anything exciting.
or
b. He has no idea what he did the night before!