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.
Fellas, I'm ready to get up and do my thing (yeah, go ahead)
I wanna get into it, man, you know (go ahead)
Like a, like a sex machine, man (yeah, go ahead)
Movin', doin' it, you know
Can I count it off? (Go ahead)
One, two, three, four
Get up (get on up)
Get up (get on up)
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Wait a minute
Shake your arm, then use your form
Stay on the scene like a sex machine
You got to have the feeling, soon as you're born
Get it together, right on, right on
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
You said, you said you got the
You said the feeling you got to get
You give me fever and a cold sweat
The way I like it is the way it is
I got mine, don't worry 'bout his
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Bobby, should I take 'em to the bridge?
(Go ahead)
Take 'em on to the bridge
(Take 'em to the bridge)
Can I take 'em to the bridge?
(Yeah)
Take 'em to the bridge?
(Go ahead)
Hit me now
Come on
Stay on the scene, like a sex machine
The way I like it, is the way it is
I got mine, dig it, he's got his
Stay on the scene, like a lovin' machine
Stay on the scene, like a lovin' machine
Stay on the scene
I wanna count it off one more time now
(Go ahead)
You wanna hear it like it did on the top fellas?
(Yeah)
Hear it like it did on the top?
(Yeah)
Hit it now
Get on up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get on up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
like a lovin' machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Taste (get on up)
Bein' (get on up)
Taste (get on up)
Bein' (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene, like a sex machine
You got to have the feelin' (get on up)
Soon as you're born (get on up)
Get it together, right on, right on
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Get up (get on up)
Get up (get on up)
And then, shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Can we hit it like we did one more time, from the top
Can we hit like that one more time
(One more time)
One more time
Let's hit it and quit (go ahead)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Hit it
I wanna get into it, man, you know (go ahead)
Like a, like a sex machine, man (yeah, go ahead)
Movin', doin' it, you know
Can I count it off? (Go ahead)
One, two, three, four
Get up (get on up)
Get up (get on up)
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Wait a minute
Shake your arm, then use your form
Stay on the scene like a sex machine
You got to have the feeling, soon as you're born
Get it together, right on, right on
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
You said, you said you got the
You said the feeling you got to get
You give me fever and a cold sweat
The way I like it is the way it is
I got mine, don't worry 'bout his
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
Like a sex machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Bobby, should I take 'em to the bridge?
(Go ahead)
Take 'em on to the bridge
(Take 'em to the bridge)
Can I take 'em to the bridge?
(Yeah)
Take 'em to the bridge?
(Go ahead)
Hit me now
Come on
Stay on the scene, like a sex machine
The way I like it, is the way it is
I got mine, dig it, he's got his
Stay on the scene, like a lovin' machine
Stay on the scene, like a lovin' machine
Stay on the scene
I wanna count it off one more time now
(Go ahead)
You wanna hear it like it did on the top fellas?
(Yeah)
Hear it like it did on the top?
(Yeah)
Hit it now
Get on up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get on up, get on up
Stay on the scene (get on up)
like a lovin' machine (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Taste (get on up)
Bein' (get on up)
Taste (get on up)
Bein' (get on up)
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene, like a sex machine
You got to have the feelin' (get on up)
Soon as you're born (get on up)
Get it together, right on, right on
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Right on, right on (right on, right on)
Get up (get on up)
Get up (get on up)
And then, shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Shake your money maker
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Can we hit it like we did one more time, from the top
Can we hit like that one more time
(One more time)
One more time
Let's hit it and quit (go ahead)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Can we hit it and quit? (Yeah)
Hit it
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine Lyrics as written by Bobby Byrd Ronald R. Lenhoff
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Exploration Group 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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/