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 was looking for God at my grandmother's house
Underneath the cushions on the couch
I looked all around side to side up and down
That man was no where to be found
So I called my grandmama on the phone
Said old lady you best get home
'Cause God ain't where you said he would be
And there's something that I really need to speak to him about immediately
She said boy tell Granny what's wrong is there something I can do
I said big mama now it's a sensitive issue
And Lord knows I don't want to worry you
But I need somebody to talk to
It's done been twenty six years and seventeen days
Been to five different prisons got two babies on the way
And they say it'll be a waste of time to pray
Seeing that I'm going to hell anyway [2x]
I done smoked weed with the best of ya'll
Shot at all the rest of ya'll
My heart hurts like an old man with high cholesterol
The preacher said that I'm the dirtiest dude he ever saw
Shouldn't even be livin'
And he a Christian
Shoulda been dead like seventeen times for seventeen crimes I committed
Took 'em all to trial and got aquitted
Left wavin' my middle finger in the air whispered in the prosecutor's ear, yeah I did it
I done stole everything from dreams to wedding rings
Auctioned off my soul for material things
But lately its been kinda botherin' me
I guess that turtle always catches up with the rabbit eventually
Somebody loves you baby whoa whoa whoa somebody loves you baby [4x]
Somebody loves you baby whoa whoa whoa somebody loves you baby [4x]
Underneath the cushions on the couch
I looked all around side to side up and down
That man was no where to be found
So I called my grandmama on the phone
Said old lady you best get home
'Cause God ain't where you said he would be
And there's something that I really need to speak to him about immediately
She said boy tell Granny what's wrong is there something I can do
I said big mama now it's a sensitive issue
And Lord knows I don't want to worry you
But I need somebody to talk to
It's done been twenty six years and seventeen days
Been to five different prisons got two babies on the way
And they say it'll be a waste of time to pray
Seeing that I'm going to hell anyway [2x]
I done smoked weed with the best of ya'll
Shot at all the rest of ya'll
My heart hurts like an old man with high cholesterol
The preacher said that I'm the dirtiest dude he ever saw
Shouldn't even be livin'
And he a Christian
Shoulda been dead like seventeen times for seventeen crimes I committed
Took 'em all to trial and got aquitted
Left wavin' my middle finger in the air whispered in the prosecutor's ear, yeah I did it
I done stole everything from dreams to wedding rings
Auctioned off my soul for material things
But lately its been kinda botherin' me
I guess that turtle always catches up with the rabbit eventually
Somebody loves you baby whoa whoa whoa somebody loves you baby [4x]
Somebody loves you baby whoa whoa whoa somebody loves you baby [4x]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
26 Years, 17 Days Lyrics as written by Jennings Curry
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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