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.
Why don't you call me
What we both know I am
Ooh you know I am
Ooh you know I am
Why don't you call me
What we both know I am
What I am
What I am
What I am
And I said
Why don't you call me
What we both know
Why don't you call me
What we both know
And I said
Why don't you call me
What we both know
What I am
What I am
What I am
What we both know I am
Ooh you know I am
Ooh you know I am
Why don't you call me
What we both know I am
What I am
What I am
What I am
And I said
Why don't you call me
What we both know
Why don't you call me
What we both know
And I said
Why don't you call me
What we both know
What I am
What I am
What I am
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I don't think this is about an argument with a girlfriend. "Why don't you call me what we both know I am," implies that he's in an argument, yes, but that the arguments have started hitting below the belt, and that the antagonist is skirting around a topic that the singer has never made explicit, but is unashamed of.
I personally interpret this song as the narrator being gay, and having an argument with a family member or close friend. And the antagonist is getting dangerously close to calling the narrator a faggot. (What we both know I am.)
I don't think faggot is the word. I believe he is saying pussy at the end of the song.
This song seems to be about something on the brink of emotional emission. What they are on the brink of finally admitting is subjective and meant to be framed in your own subjective mind. "What don't you call me what we both know I am.." Homosexual, indifferent, apathetic, inattentive, distrusting, uncaring, etc. A million descriptions fit the bill, so which one do you know are but are just coming to the realization of admission?
I've just rediscovered this song and thought I'd look it up. I have always thought it was about shame. The singer is ashamed of something he has done, the other person forgives him but he can't forgive himself and doesn't want the other person to either, "Call my what we both know I am".
I think this is actually a genius song.
I think he is talking about him and his girlfriend being in a fight and she has to pause and he says "why don't you call me what we both know I am" He is singing about being a fight . and the roar part in the song? I think it is them fighting. Absolutely genius.
I still think this is about the fight. To the second half of the song, there are pauses and skips of the rhythm. When you listen carefully it sounds like breaks. If you imagine it in a video, its a few seconds of him singing, and then a break of his partner doing something. I think its pretty clear, as well as amazing if you listen to it that way.
Maybe it's not that complex. Maybe he just wants another person to admit that he/she loves him (too). Why don't you call me yours?
Still, it might mean something deeper: this is just too obvious.