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.
A bruised full moon play fights with the stars
This place is our prison
Its cells are the bars
So take me to town
I wanna dance with the city
Show me something ugly,
and show me something pretty
Damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face by the count of three
An unwanted sun pulls rank in the sky
The boxer isn't finished
He's not ready to die
I'm attracted to the light
I'm attracted to the heat
It's a violent night
There are boxers in the street
Damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face by the count of three
And damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face I'm a fallen oak tree
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
This place is our prison
Its cells are the bars
So take me to town
I wanna dance with the city
Show me something ugly,
and show me something pretty
Damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face by the count of three
An unwanted sun pulls rank in the sky
The boxer isn't finished
He's not ready to die
I'm attracted to the light
I'm attracted to the heat
It's a violent night
There are boxers in the street
Damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face by the count of three
And damn this place makes a boy out of me
The ring meets my face I'm a fallen oak tree
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
Dazed in the final count
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