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.
Makin' it, doesn't matter how many
Takin'it
Well, I can't shake it
Off of my back, damn monkey
It's either too tight
Or it's too slack
How much
That's all it is ooh
Ninety nine
How much, yah
Now, ninety nine
You better hack it baby
Yea, my time exploded, space blew up
Need something in my Dixie cup
Whoa, let me get it right
There's the best pair of lips I've kissed all night
How much, well give it to me
I'll pay you later
Nine ninety nine
Oh, I got a pocket calculator
Yeah, wake up, it don't make sense
Nickles and dimes
Nine ninety nine
The lion and the lamb are locked in an embrace
You won't get it till it's in your face
Oh, I got me out of deeper red
Don't panic
Ah, it's where I want to be
Yeah, oh
A useful member of society, huh!
I just need a little of that old money
Gimme ninety nine, yea
Well, I can't shake it off of my back
God damn monkey
Aw, it's too tight, or it's too slack
Yeah some things never change
Price of bullets remains the same
Here we go
Hand over fist, slap on the wrist
Umm, nine nine
That's all I'm askin' how much
How much do you want to give
Just a little bit
Nine
Yeah they operate
Look at the state of my baby
Will, it cost twenty grand, pitiful
Yeah, that's a nine
Put your money where your mouth is
Cough it up
Oh nickels and dimes
Yeah, huh, ooh
Takin'it
Well, I can't shake it
Off of my back, damn monkey
It's either too tight
Or it's too slack
How much
That's all it is ooh
Ninety nine
How much, yah
Now, ninety nine
You better hack it baby
Yea, my time exploded, space blew up
Need something in my Dixie cup
Whoa, let me get it right
There's the best pair of lips I've kissed all night
How much, well give it to me
I'll pay you later
Nine ninety nine
Oh, I got a pocket calculator
Yeah, wake up, it don't make sense
Nickles and dimes
Nine ninety nine
The lion and the lamb are locked in an embrace
You won't get it till it's in your face
Oh, I got me out of deeper red
Don't panic
Ah, it's where I want to be
Yeah, oh
A useful member of society, huh!
I just need a little of that old money
Gimme ninety nine, yea
Well, I can't shake it off of my back
God damn monkey
Aw, it's too tight, or it's too slack
Yeah some things never change
Price of bullets remains the same
Here we go
Hand over fist, slap on the wrist
Umm, nine nine
That's all I'm askin' how much
How much do you want to give
Just a little bit
Nine
Yeah they operate
Look at the state of my baby
Will, it cost twenty grand, pitiful
Yeah, that's a nine
Put your money where your mouth is
Cough it up
Oh nickels and dimes
Yeah, huh, ooh
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