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.
You may have given me the breaks, amended all my life's mistake
Ooh but Wait a minute You don't own me You may be more than just a friend
On whose assistance I depend Ooh but wait a minute
You don't own me what makes you think you have the right
Today that l owe you my life A Life you say Is your life only
Nothing to do with me Well don't forget for all your power
Even in my darkest hour You don't own me You may be fully in control
Of every dream I'll ever hold Ooh but wait a minute You don't own me
In times of trouble and despair Although I'm glad that you were there
Ooh but wait a minute You don't own me I know it sounds so very cruel
To have to day I don't want you After all the love you've shown me Let's,
not start a feud I'm not your slave don't you forget it,
And even if I live to regret it You don't own me
Why must you always be so right
why can't you never be wrong it's not a crime to say you're sorry
And it don't take long No it don't take long If it only takes a minute
To say a crime thing that's ni
ce If it only takes a minute Then why not twice
I should have known from the start this would happen
From the moment we went anywhere
if other people so much as looked at me You'd be screaming blue murder
I swear And yet you say that my leaving doesn't hurt you in the least
But even if that's true You'll do all in your power to destroy me If I know you
You day how much, you respect what I'm doing You say how high you regard
my ideas And yet for years as you stood in the background You never once
let me up off my knees Now despite you declaring You understand the way
feel Now that we are through
Ooh but Wait a minute You don't own me You may be more than just a friend
On whose assistance I depend Ooh but wait a minute
You don't own me what makes you think you have the right
Today that l owe you my life A Life you say Is your life only
Nothing to do with me Well don't forget for all your power
Even in my darkest hour You don't own me You may be fully in control
Of every dream I'll ever hold Ooh but wait a minute You don't own me
In times of trouble and despair Although I'm glad that you were there
Ooh but wait a minute You don't own me I know it sounds so very cruel
To have to day I don't want you After all the love you've shown me Let's,
not start a feud I'm not your slave don't you forget it,
And even if I live to regret it You don't own me
Why must you always be so right
why can't you never be wrong it's not a crime to say you're sorry
And it don't take long No it don't take long If it only takes a minute
To say a crime thing that's ni
ce If it only takes a minute Then why not twice
I should have known from the start this would happen
From the moment we went anywhere
if other people so much as looked at me You'd be screaming blue murder
I swear And yet you say that my leaving doesn't hurt you in the least
But even if that's true You'll do all in your power to destroy me If I know you
You day how much, you respect what I'm doing You say how high you regard
my ideas And yet for years as you stood in the background You never once
let me up off my knees Now despite you declaring You understand the way
feel Now that we are through
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
You Don't Own Me/If I Know You Lyrics as written by Gilbert O'sullivan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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