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.
Let me guide you through the story of a boy and his curse
Tiny diamond in his stroller with his first step chasing the hearse
Sippin' at a cup that's half way filled
But looking forward to the day he pays that drinking bill
There's no peace, there's no quiet on this earth
He confided, nestled tightly in that womb beneath the dirt
Hurt no more and when he turned 24
He wrote a note to nail to God's front door that said
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
From the high paying job and the love of his life
He rode a roller coaster ride of lust on their wedding night
They made a baby in unmentionable ways
He was ungrateful as a man could be on that blessed day
And underneath he thought this is all a phase
Just a blip in the existence of a structure vast and great
Pray each night to his cross of a charm
For the one thing he couldn't afford just to buy the farm
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
I'll never lose another friend again
Or watch them start a war that's fought for ideals that are dead
I'll never have an argument again
Because my dust
Will be your salt
My blood will hydrate you off
My heart will be your meal
And I won't ride the cycle of the way it kills to think and feel
No more, no
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
One sweet day his heart ceased to beat
He fell so fast beneath all our feet
Through bugs and snakes
Last words he had to say were
Help me claw my way to the surface
Oh sweet lord you know I deserve this
Just one more, just one more birthday
Tiny diamond in his stroller with his first step chasing the hearse
Sippin' at a cup that's half way filled
But looking forward to the day he pays that drinking bill
There's no peace, there's no quiet on this earth
He confided, nestled tightly in that womb beneath the dirt
Hurt no more and when he turned 24
He wrote a note to nail to God's front door that said
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
From the high paying job and the love of his life
He rode a roller coaster ride of lust on their wedding night
They made a baby in unmentionable ways
He was ungrateful as a man could be on that blessed day
And underneath he thought this is all a phase
Just a blip in the existence of a structure vast and great
Pray each night to his cross of a charm
For the one thing he couldn't afford just to buy the farm
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
I'll never lose another friend again
Or watch them start a war that's fought for ideals that are dead
I'll never have an argument again
Because my dust
Will be your salt
My blood will hydrate you off
My heart will be your meal
And I won't ride the cycle of the way it kills to think and feel
No more, no
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
One sweet day his heart ceased to beat
He fell so fast beneath all our feet
Through bugs and snakes
Last words he had to say were
Help me claw my way to the surface
Oh sweet lord you know I deserve this
Just one more, just one more birthday
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I'm in love with this song (: I was wondering what everyone thinks that part "but life has a boyfriend" means? Because it seems like the guy in the song has everything most people want and I know he's not happy with it still but saying "life has a boyfriend" kind of implies that life isn't loving him back? I don't know if that makes sense but yeahh tell me what you think :]
it means that his life is a girl. hes in love with a girl and shes the only thing that matters. shes his life but she has a boyfriend