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.
Half of your heart
Is over in Allston town
The other half of your heart
Is fighting in Iraq
Half of it's hard
But the other is easy if you know
At least half of your heart
Well it won't die slow
Tt goes on and on (5X)
Half of our art
Is taking up city real estate
The other half of our art
Is sounding off about peace
You have to be guarded
About the battles that you choose
But you can't tell me you've never wanted to lose
It goes on and on (5X)
So you can take it out on folks
Who disagree with what he's doing
Or you can take it out on anyone you want
But you're no better than them
And used to know better than them
And you're no better than them
But that's alright I guess
So take it to heart
If someone's been trying to change your mind
But don't take it too hard
If it sounds unkind
Be the problem in hell
Or be the black tie
Dragging heaven down
And then at least half of your heart will be safe and sound
It goes on and on (12X)
Now you're no better than them
And used to know better than them
And right and wrong are made out of thread
And they can be ripped bent or broken
Is over in Allston town
The other half of your heart
Is fighting in Iraq
Half of it's hard
But the other is easy if you know
At least half of your heart
Well it won't die slow
Tt goes on and on (5X)
Half of our art
Is taking up city real estate
The other half of our art
Is sounding off about peace
You have to be guarded
About the battles that you choose
But you can't tell me you've never wanted to lose
It goes on and on (5X)
So you can take it out on folks
Who disagree with what he's doing
Or you can take it out on anyone you want
But you're no better than them
And used to know better than them
And you're no better than them
But that's alright I guess
So take it to heart
If someone's been trying to change your mind
But don't take it too hard
If it sounds unkind
Be the problem in hell
Or be the black tie
Dragging heaven down
And then at least half of your heart will be safe and sound
It goes on and on (12X)
Now you're no better than them
And used to know better than them
And right and wrong are made out of thread
And they can be ripped bent or broken
Lyrics submitted by mattyharm
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