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.
Thought I was alone in my utter disgust
'Til the old me started to bleed and we became us
Lust in this trust in this social halitosis
Combust to form stardust burning nuclear gust
Who sets presidents up to farm oil
It's the pigs who's tails curl out to pointed coil
If you want to know more then mark "yes" at the end of your test
In response to your call of distress we're the best
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
They say rebellion exists in despair
And their ironic facial hair
The devil may or may not care
I saw the look she gave to Mr. Cred
She said don't let that blow go to your head
She took my hand instead
There's nothing like the brain of a beautiful girl
When they grasp the fallacy of the world
We're in the back room, back to back, breathing hard
Reading the file on the heart they sought to defile
(Yeah! Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
Alright!
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
She won't follow you
She won't follow you, she won't follow
She won't follow you
She won't follow you, she won't follow
'Til the old me started to bleed and we became us
Lust in this trust in this social halitosis
Combust to form stardust burning nuclear gust
Who sets presidents up to farm oil
It's the pigs who's tails curl out to pointed coil
If you want to know more then mark "yes" at the end of your test
In response to your call of distress we're the best
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
They say rebellion exists in despair
And their ironic facial hair
The devil may or may not care
I saw the look she gave to Mr. Cred
She said don't let that blow go to your head
She took my hand instead
There's nothing like the brain of a beautiful girl
When they grasp the fallacy of the world
We're in the back room, back to back, breathing hard
Reading the file on the heart they sought to defile
(Yeah! Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
Alright!
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
I'll tell you everything, you everything, woah
(Meet me in the back room)
Just run away with me, just lay with me, woah
She won't follow you
She won't follow you, she won't follow
She won't follow you
She won't follow you, she won't follow
Lyrics submitted by torymcdougall
She Won't Follow You Lyrics as written by Maxim Bemis
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
if you can't tell... the song is hard to hear. so these are just guessed lyrics. feel free to correct me. :)