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.
I watch the way he looks at you
He don't see you like I do
He'll never speak the words I long to say
He don't know that what he's got
Is everything I'll ever want
I can't keep this inside one more day
If you were my girl
My feet would never touch the ground
If you were my girl
My heart would shout your name out loud
I could conquer the world if you were my girl.
You're the prayer I pray when I'm on my knees
The oxygen that lets me breathe
The flame that burns inside me all the time
Every note of a beautiful melody
The perfect rhyme in poetry
Baby you are everything but mine
If you were my girl
My feet would never touch the ground
If you were my girl
My heart would shout your name out loud
There's nothing that I could not do
If it was you I came home to
I could conquer the world if you were my girl
Baby I swear this flame will burn eternally
So keep your eyes open jump on in
You will see what you need is me
If you were my (my, my, my) girl
Oh I'd never want to see you cry (cry)
But you're with him and I don't know why
What a different world if you were my girl
I would conquer the world if you were my girl
He don't see you like I do
He'll never speak the words I long to say
He don't know that what he's got
Is everything I'll ever want
I can't keep this inside one more day
If you were my girl
My feet would never touch the ground
If you were my girl
My heart would shout your name out loud
I could conquer the world if you were my girl.
You're the prayer I pray when I'm on my knees
The oxygen that lets me breathe
The flame that burns inside me all the time
Every note of a beautiful melody
The perfect rhyme in poetry
Baby you are everything but mine
If you were my girl
My feet would never touch the ground
If you were my girl
My heart would shout your name out loud
There's nothing that I could not do
If it was you I came home to
I could conquer the world if you were my girl
Baby I swear this flame will burn eternally
So keep your eyes open jump on in
You will see what you need is me
If you were my (my, my, my) girl
Oh I'd never want to see you cry (cry)
But you're with him and I don't know why
What a different world if you were my girl
I would conquer the world if you were my girl
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
If You Were My Girl Lyrics as written by Kenny Gamble Kenneth Gamble
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.