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 get up every day.
It's a miracle, I'm told.
Somehow I live to work.
So I hit the road.
Squeeze into my hybrid car,
Drive as fast as I can
While I scan the rooftops.
Yeah, I scan the rooftops.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
So don't shoot, I'm a man.
I live in every city
All around the world.
Sometimes its way too hot.
Sometimes its friggin' cold.
One thing's always the same,
No matter what they say,
There's way too many problems.
Way, way too many problems.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
You wish you were swinging from the trees.
You wish you were slicing through the breeze
You wish you were a king or a queen.
You wish you'd hit the lottery.
But wishin' is for chumps, high hopin' is for fools.
They'll hunt you down.
They'll taze you bro for playin' with the rules.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
I've got a big dilemma
To punt or go for broke
It's got me goin' sleepless
Well I'm about to choke
Let me ask you something
Answer if you can
Think before you answer
There is no correct answer
So don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
It's a miracle, I'm told.
Somehow I live to work.
So I hit the road.
Squeeze into my hybrid car,
Drive as fast as I can
While I scan the rooftops.
Yeah, I scan the rooftops.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
So don't shoot, I'm a man.
I live in every city
All around the world.
Sometimes its way too hot.
Sometimes its friggin' cold.
One thing's always the same,
No matter what they say,
There's way too many problems.
Way, way too many problems.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
You wish you were swinging from the trees.
You wish you were slicing through the breeze
You wish you were a king or a queen.
You wish you'd hit the lottery.
But wishin' is for chumps, high hopin' is for fools.
They'll hunt you down.
They'll taze you bro for playin' with the rules.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
I've got a big dilemma
To punt or go for broke
It's got me goin' sleepless
Well I'm about to choke
Let me ask you something
Answer if you can
Think before you answer
There is no correct answer
So don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't shoot, I'm a man.
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
Don't taze me bro!
Lyrics submitted by fractured_sanity
Don't Shoot (I'm a Man) Lyrics as written by Mark Allen Mothersbaugh Gerald V. Casale
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There was a New Traditionalist era DEVO video with someone wearing the "Don't Shoot, I'm a Man" vest.