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.
If I were you
I wouldn't hurt the ones you love the way you do
I wouldn't make them cry
If I were you
I would learn to see the other point of view
You don't even try
Let's say that you were me
We'd do things differently
Cut out all the fear and lies
Then maybe you could see
The possibility to compromise
If I were you
I would look at all the quarrelling we do
'Cause that's no help at all
If I were you
I would give a little credit where it's due
That would be my call
Let's say that you were me
We'd do things differently
And cut out all the hurt and pain
Then maybe you could see
The possibility to love again
If I had the choice
You would make yourself heard
Without raising your voice
In my master plan
You could get your own way
Without raising your hand
I don't want to be the one
Getting it wrong time after time
I no longer want to play games
For any reason or rhyme
Nobody's asking you to do something
You don't want to do
If I were you
I wouldn't hurt the ones you love the way you do
I wouldn't make them cry
If I were you
I would learn to see the other point of view
But you don't even try
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
I wouldn't hurt the ones you love the way you do
I wouldn't make them cry
If I were you
I would learn to see the other point of view
You don't even try
Let's say that you were me
We'd do things differently
Cut out all the fear and lies
Then maybe you could see
The possibility to compromise
If I were you
I would look at all the quarrelling we do
'Cause that's no help at all
If I were you
I would give a little credit where it's due
That would be my call
Let's say that you were me
We'd do things differently
And cut out all the hurt and pain
Then maybe you could see
The possibility to love again
If I had the choice
You would make yourself heard
Without raising your voice
In my master plan
You could get your own way
Without raising your hand
I don't want to be the one
Getting it wrong time after time
I no longer want to play games
For any reason or rhyme
Nobody's asking you to do something
You don't want to do
If I were you
I wouldn't hurt the ones you love the way you do
I wouldn't make them cry
If I were you
I would learn to see the other point of view
But you don't even try
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
If I were you
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
If I Were You Lyrics as written by Paul Carrack
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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