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.
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
There's a recall on all employees
Who behavin? all out of sorts
Who can't hold their liquor
Quicker, ya'll get off my turf
I'll show you who got the curve
Think I'm being territorial?
I'ma get patriotic on ya ass
Stars and stripes actin? all sassy and crass
Class is in session
Please stand for the pledge
All you pretty party girl
Step away from the ledge
Have a seat, so I can begin to teach
Today we're gonna learn
About the word moderation
Liberty and justice
And somethin? like one nation
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold you hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Those who know me, know I ain't
No straight lace sober freak
But when it comes time to get the job done
I make sure I'm at least able to speak
Try to give a damn about presentation
Try to make it look like it's not a vacation
People paid to see a show
They didn't just make a kind donation
When you're singin? that song
For the one millionth time
And you're too gone to see
That you no longer shine
You start wishin? for another way
To make your dime
You wanna make a buck in America?
Grab an application and get in line
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin?
?Cause you know you'll be missin?
That same ol? tune
Two weeks what you look like
Every afternoon
Then it comes you'll be like
Cha ching, cha ching
But minimum wage after taxes is like
You must be fuckin? kiddin?
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
There's a recall on all employees
Who behavin? all out of sorts
Who can't hold their liquor
Quicker, ya'll get off my turf
I'll show you who got the curve
Think I'm being territorial?
I'ma get patriotic on ya ass
Stars and stripes actin? all sassy and crass
Class is in session
Please stand for the pledge
All you pretty party girl
Step away from the ledge
Have a seat, so I can begin to teach
Today we're gonna learn
About the word moderation
Liberty and justice
And somethin? like one nation
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold you hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Those who know me, know I ain't
No straight lace sober freak
But when it comes time to get the job done
I make sure I'm at least able to speak
Try to give a damn about presentation
Try to make it look like it's not a vacation
People paid to see a show
They didn't just make a kind donation
When you're singin? that song
For the one millionth time
And you're too gone to see
That you no longer shine
You start wishin? for another way
To make your dime
You wanna make a buck in America?
Grab an application and get in line
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin?
?Cause you know you'll be missin?
That same ol? tune
Two weeks what you look like
Every afternoon
Then it comes you'll be like
Cha ching, cha ching
But minimum wage after taxes is like
You must be fuckin? kiddin?
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Go back to the motherland
Have your mama hold your hand
If you eat your eggs with runny beans
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Judgin? your behavior
And your junkie routine
It's time for you to get clean
And stop creatin? a scene
Girl, you ain't got shit on me
Ain't got shit on NYC
Got nothin? on this city
Save all that cryin? for the queen
Lyrics submitted by BleedorBreathe
Cryin' For the Queen Lyrics as written by Imani Coppola Mike Mangini
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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npr.org/templates/story/story.php
I'm not the only one who thinks this is about Amy Winehouse.