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.
Who (who ooh ooh ooh ooh)
What (woo ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Where (woo ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Why (tell me why, tell me why, tell me why)
I don't understand
Let's sit down and talk
One minute you love me and then you walk
There's more going on
Than you will admit
'cause just as we got it to work you quit
I'm caught in a fog
And you make it clear
The truth won't be worse than the things I fear
It's a mystery to me
I haven't a clue
If somebody else has a part of you
Tell me
Who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
You won't be my love
You won't be my friend
But won't you at least help me comprehend
What's happening to me
'cause after you go
My one consolation will be to know
The places and names, the reason and rhymes
The facts of the matter and points in time
I tried for your love
But you won't allow
This guy to do nothin' but ask you how
And, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
I want you to say
What's inside your head
Confession is good for the soul it's said
So start at the top and take it real slow
If you want out, then I have to know
Just, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
Just, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
What (woo ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Where (woo ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Why (tell me why, tell me why, tell me why)
I don't understand
Let's sit down and talk
One minute you love me and then you walk
There's more going on
Than you will admit
'cause just as we got it to work you quit
I'm caught in a fog
And you make it clear
The truth won't be worse than the things I fear
It's a mystery to me
I haven't a clue
If somebody else has a part of you
Tell me
Who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
You won't be my love
You won't be my friend
But won't you at least help me comprehend
What's happening to me
'cause after you go
My one consolation will be to know
The places and names, the reason and rhymes
The facts of the matter and points in time
I tried for your love
But you won't allow
This guy to do nothin' but ask you how
And, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
I want you to say
What's inside your head
Confession is good for the soul it's said
So start at the top and take it real slow
If you want out, then I have to know
Just, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
Just, who (who)
What when where why (why)
Who is the guy
What made you need someone new
Tell me
Who what when where why
When did it die
When'd we go wrong
Don't you lie, tell me why
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Who, What, When, Where, Why Lyrics as written by Rupert Holmes
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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