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.
Dear Haley, can you save me from
The borrowed cloud I'm on?
All you gotta do is try
Pray you're just getting by
Hey wait, I thought you made it
How'd your bottled crown fall off
Tell me how'd you get so tired
Faded down to the wire
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
So very ordinary
Wait until my bomb goes off
See the actors run and hide
Fake it all in stride
One day we all can say we're gone
And haunt the ground we're from
Everything's so open wide
Here within the divide
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life?
Just sail on by
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life?
The borrowed cloud I'm on?
All you gotta do is try
Pray you're just getting by
Hey wait, I thought you made it
How'd your bottled crown fall off
Tell me how'd you get so tired
Faded down to the wire
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
So very ordinary
Wait until my bomb goes off
See the actors run and hide
Fake it all in stride
One day we all can say we're gone
And haunt the ground we're from
Everything's so open wide
Here within the divide
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life?
Just sail on by
Try livin' a lie
And kickin' out the same old guise
Wastin' time
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life? Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life? Got no crime
Just sail on by
Sail on by
Ain't it the life?
Ain't it the life?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Ain't It the Life Lyrics as written by Oliver Taylor Hawkins David Eric Grohl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The Foo Fighters are the greatest band who ever walked the earth. I know Dave Grohl is a musical genius and a beast--- for SURE. but someone has to give the rest of them (Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, and Taylor Hawkins) some credit, cause despite the rumor, I don't think Dave is a frontman and does everything. Everyone helps and that why even though they're getting older, they're getting better. I listen to one of their songs every single day and I have exactly 100. Each album is great in its own way I really can't choose. Except for the ever powering Everlong...but Aint it the Life is up there... ANYWAY I think Ain't it the Life is about--------------- Haley is an actor friend of his, and as the mocking "Stacked Actors" states he doesn't like them. He's saying sarcastically, "save me from my great life!", and then realistically "for god sakes, whats so great about being an actor you barely get by!" Hey wait i thought you made the fake crown on your head? Since you think you're so great, why am i making your sense of importance leave you? Why are you always tired? get soem sleep and think about that! Try living your life like that doing the same thing all the time, just wasting time and waiting for WHAT?! I LOOK ORDINARY but I'm different than you other celebrities because in a time of crisis i have real emotions <as such> and its not fake... You can quit and stay dong the same thing every day--god job actors!!--- (basically) or you can leave and do whatever you want in the world--within the divide--the divide of fame. once you go theres no going back. Throughout the chorus Dave and the Foo Fighters basically sit back and say "wow" ain't it the life? while they're having a great time being a band.... i know i have no life [gasp]