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.
I wish I could be honest
Humble and modest
And a little less picky
And I wish that I could be stronger
Patient for longer
So everyone would know that I am
I guess I want to change myself
For everyone else
Then people would like me
And I could be happy
But nobody's perfect
Especially me
I wish I could be clever
Smarter than ever
A little more subtle
And I wish that I could be caring
Strapping and daring
So everyone would know that I am
I guess I want to change myself
For everyone else
Then people would like me
And I could be happy
But nobody's perfect
Especially me
Especially me
I wish I could be happy
Staying exactly the way that I am
And how I wish I could be carefree
Forget about every
One, two, three, four
And I don't want to change myself
For anyone else
Don't care if they like me
So long as I'm happy
'Cause nobody's perfect but...
Whatever
Humble and modest
And a little less picky
And I wish that I could be stronger
Patient for longer
So everyone would know that I am
I guess I want to change myself
For everyone else
Then people would like me
And I could be happy
But nobody's perfect
Especially me
I wish I could be clever
Smarter than ever
A little more subtle
And I wish that I could be caring
Strapping and daring
So everyone would know that I am
I guess I want to change myself
For everyone else
Then people would like me
And I could be happy
But nobody's perfect
Especially me
Especially me
I wish I could be happy
Staying exactly the way that I am
And how I wish I could be carefree
Forget about every
One, two, three, four
And I don't want to change myself
For anyone else
Don't care if they like me
So long as I'm happy
'Cause nobody's perfect but...
Whatever
Lyrics submitted by kharys
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