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.
Wanna be young the rest of my life
Never say no try anything twice
'Til the angels come and ask me to fly
Gonna be eighteen 'til I die eighteen 'til I die
Can't live forever that's wishful thinkin'
Who ever said that must of bin' drinkin'
Don't wanna grow up I don't see why
I couldn't care less if time flies by
Eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Anyway I just wanna say
Why bother with what happened yesterday
It's not my style I live for the minute
If ya wanna stay young get both feet in it, eighteen 'til I die
A little bit of this a little bit of that
Little bit of everything gotta get on track
It's not how ya look, it's what ya feel inside
I don't care when I don't need ta know why
Eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Ya there's one thing for sure I'm sure gonna try
Yeah, don't worry 'bout the future
Forget about the past
Gonna have a ball, yeah we're gonna have a blast
Gonna make it last, hey
Yeah, eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Gonna be eighteen 'til I die, alright
I'm gonna be eighteen 'til I die, alright
Eighteen 'til I die
Never say no try anything twice
'Til the angels come and ask me to fly
Gonna be eighteen 'til I die eighteen 'til I die
Can't live forever that's wishful thinkin'
Who ever said that must of bin' drinkin'
Don't wanna grow up I don't see why
I couldn't care less if time flies by
Eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Anyway I just wanna say
Why bother with what happened yesterday
It's not my style I live for the minute
If ya wanna stay young get both feet in it, eighteen 'til I die
A little bit of this a little bit of that
Little bit of everything gotta get on track
It's not how ya look, it's what ya feel inside
I don't care when I don't need ta know why
Eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Ya there's one thing for sure I'm sure gonna try
Yeah, don't worry 'bout the future
Forget about the past
Gonna have a ball, yeah we're gonna have a blast
Gonna make it last, hey
Yeah, eighteen 'til I die gonna be eighteen 'til I die
Ya it sure feels good to be alive
Someday I'll be eighteen goin' on fifty five, eighteen 'til I die
Gonna be eighteen 'til I die, alright
I'm gonna be eighteen 'til I die, alright
Eighteen 'til I die
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
this song basically teaches all to be young at heart
i am 25 but im 18. When i am 50 im gonna be 18 again.
probably the most energetic song on earth ever written.It puts you in good mood if you are feeling down.Whole lyric is amazing and awesome.My fav linesA 'lil bit of this - a 'lil bit of that 'Lil bit of everything - gotta get on track It's not how ya look, it's what ya feel inside.Really bryans adams rocks
aw i recently found out that he actually dedicated this song to Chelsea FC!
WOO CHELSEA FOREVER!