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 played hookie from school and you can't go out to play, yeah
Mama said, for the rest of the week, in your room you gotta stay, yeah
Oh ho, now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you
But deep down inside, you know it ain't true
You're in punishment
'Cause your mother wants to raise you in the right way, yeah
But you don't care
'Cause you already made up your mind you wanna run away yeah
You're on your way, runaway child, running wild
Runaway child running wild
Better go back home where you belong
Roaming through the city going nowhere fast, you're on your own at last
Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep?
You're gettin' kinda hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat
Oh, lost with no money you start to cry
But remember, you left home wantin' to be grown, so dry your weeping eyes
Sirens screamin' down neon lighted streets
You want your mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Are they looking for you?
You're frightened and confused
I want my mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run
But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
You've heard some frightening news on the radio
About little boys running away from home
And the parents don't see them no more
You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know
But your mama told you never trust a stranger
And you don't know which way to go
Streets are dark and deserted, not a sound nor sign of life
Oh how you long to hear your mother's voice, 'cause you're lost and alone
But remember, you made the choice, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
He he he, oh, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
You're lost in this great big city
Go back home where you belong
Not one familiar face, ain't it a pity
Go back home where you belong
Oh, runaway child running wild
You better go back home where you belong
Oh yeah, my girl
Mama, mama, please, come and sit here by me
Oh but she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose
Mama said, for the rest of the week, in your room you gotta stay, yeah
Oh ho, now you feel like the whole world's pickin' on you
But deep down inside, you know it ain't true
You're in punishment
'Cause your mother wants to raise you in the right way, yeah
But you don't care
'Cause you already made up your mind you wanna run away yeah
You're on your way, runaway child, running wild
Runaway child running wild
Better go back home where you belong
Roaming through the city going nowhere fast, you're on your own at last
Hey, it's gettin' late, where will you sleep?
You're gettin' kinda hungry, you forgot to bring something to eat
Oh, lost with no money you start to cry
But remember, you left home wantin' to be grown, so dry your weeping eyes
Sirens screamin' down neon lighted streets
You want your mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Are they looking for you?
You're frightened and confused
I want my mama
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run
But she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
You've heard some frightening news on the radio
About little boys running away from home
And the parents don't see them no more
You wanna stop to hitch a ride, I know
But your mama told you never trust a stranger
And you don't know which way to go
Streets are dark and deserted, not a sound nor sign of life
Oh how you long to hear your mother's voice, 'cause you're lost and alone
But remember, you made the choice, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
He he he, oh, runaway child, running wild
You better go back home where you belong
You're lost in this great big city
Go back home where you belong
Not one familiar face, ain't it a pity
Go back home where you belong
Oh, runaway child running wild
You better go back home where you belong
Oh yeah, my girl
Mama, mama, please, come and sit here by me
Oh but she's much too far away, she can't hear a word you say
Oh, you're frightened and confused, which way will you choose
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Runaway Child, Running Wild Lyrics as written by Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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