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.
There are those
I suppose
Think we're mad
Heaven knows
The world has gone
To rack and to ruin
What we think is chic, unique and quite adorable
They think is odd and sodom and gomorrah-able
But the fact is
Everything today is thoroughly modern
Check your personality
Everything today makes yesterday slow
Better face reality.
It's not insanity
Says Vanity Fair
In fact, it's stylish
To raise your skirts and bob your hair.
In a rumble seat, the world is so cozy
If the boy is kissable
And that tango dance they wouldn't allow
Now is quite permissible.
Goodbye, good'-goody girl
I'm changing and how!
So beat the drums
Coz here comes thoroughly modern
Millie now!
Everything today is thoroughly modern
Bands are gettin' jazzier
Everything today is starting to go
Cars are gettin' snazzier
Men say it's criminal
What women'll do.
What they're forgetting is
This is Nineteen Twenty-Two.
Have you seen the way they kiss in the movies?
Isn't it delectable?
Painting lips and pencil lining your brow
Now is quite respectable.
Goodbye good'-goody girl
I'm changing and how!
So beat the drums
Coz here comes thoroughly modern
Millie now!
I suppose
Think we're mad
Heaven knows
The world has gone
To rack and to ruin
What we think is chic, unique and quite adorable
They think is odd and sodom and gomorrah-able
But the fact is
Everything today is thoroughly modern
Check your personality
Everything today makes yesterday slow
Better face reality.
It's not insanity
Says Vanity Fair
In fact, it's stylish
To raise your skirts and bob your hair.
In a rumble seat, the world is so cozy
If the boy is kissable
And that tango dance they wouldn't allow
Now is quite permissible.
Goodbye, good'-goody girl
I'm changing and how!
So beat the drums
Coz here comes thoroughly modern
Millie now!
Everything today is thoroughly modern
Bands are gettin' jazzier
Everything today is starting to go
Cars are gettin' snazzier
Men say it's criminal
What women'll do.
What they're forgetting is
This is Nineteen Twenty-Two.
Have you seen the way they kiss in the movies?
Isn't it delectable?
Painting lips and pencil lining your brow
Now is quite respectable.
Goodbye good'-goody girl
I'm changing and how!
So beat the drums
Coz here comes thoroughly modern
Millie now!
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Reprise: Thoroughly Modern Millie Lyrics as written by Sammy Cahn Jimmy Van Heusen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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