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.
Is it my imagination
Or have I finally found something worth living for?
I was looking for some action
But all I found was cigarettes and alcohol
You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line
'Cause when it comes on top
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
Is it worth the aggravation
To find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?
It's a crazy situation
But all I need are cigarettes and alcohol
You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line
'Cause when it comes on top
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it, woo
Or have I finally found something worth living for?
I was looking for some action
But all I found was cigarettes and alcohol
You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line
'Cause when it comes on top
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
Is it worth the aggravation
To find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?
It's a crazy situation
But all I need are cigarettes and alcohol
You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line
'Cause when it comes on top
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it, woo
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Cigarettes & Alcohol Lyrics as written by Noel Gallagher
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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