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 can't defend every shameful mention of me
It takes a long time searching before you conceive
That every moment and each selection, separate
Your reputation from what you think others perceive
Who am I to decide the intent?
And every motivation behind an event
I see through tainted vision
When I can't even read myself
So sorry I'm the one waiving scarlet flags overhead
Declaring this unstable ground
So sorry I'm the one unafraid of breaking the news
So sorry I'm the only one
When confrontation feels like posing a threat
And when you're miles from making a regiment
You're getting nowhere, you might consider moving on
Because perseverance doesn't always mean overcome
Why try to hide the obvious
You'll never reach success from solemness
I've set the standards lower
I've managed to restore my past
It takes a long time searching before you conceive
That every moment and each selection, separate
Your reputation from what you think others perceive
Who am I to decide the intent?
And every motivation behind an event
I see through tainted vision
When I can't even read myself
So sorry I'm the one waiving scarlet flags overhead
Declaring this unstable ground
So sorry I'm the one unafraid of breaking the news
So sorry I'm the only one
When confrontation feels like posing a threat
And when you're miles from making a regiment
You're getting nowhere, you might consider moving on
Because perseverance doesn't always mean overcome
Why try to hide the obvious
You'll never reach success from solemness
I've set the standards lower
I've managed to restore my past
Lyrics submitted by NotaShattyFatmas
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