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.
Some people can get a thrill, knitting sweaters and sitting still
That's okay for some people don't know they're alive
Some people can thrive and bloom, living life in a living room
That's perfect for some people of one hundred and five
But I, at least gotta try
When I think of all the sights that I gotta see
And all the places I gotta play, All the things that I gotta be at
Come on papa, what'd'ya say?
Some people can be content, playin' bingo and payin' rent
That's livin' for some people, for some hum-drum people, to-oo be
But some people, ain't me
I had a dream, a wonderful dream, papa
All about June in the Orpheum circuit
Give me a chance, I know I can work it, uhh, what a dream
And it was just as real as could be, papa
Well just listen to me, there I was in Mr Orpheum's office
And he was sayin' to me, Rose!
Get yourself some new orchestrations, new routines and red velvet curtains
Get a feathered hat for the baby, photographed in front of the theater
Get an agent and in jig time, you'll be bein' booked in the big time
Oh what a dream, a wonderful dream, papa
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, Papa, that's it
That's what he said papa, only eighty-eight bucks, papa
It's uh, yeah, but it's only eighty-eight bucks
It's not like I'm askin' for a second mortgage on this place
What d'ya gettin so crick, why you gettin' crazy, it's eighty-eight lousy bucks
What do you mean I ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents outta you
Well, I'll get it, and I'll get my kids, out, now
Goodbye, to blueberry pies, good riddance to all the socials I had to go to
All the lodges that I had to play, all the Shriners I said hell
That's okay for some people don't know they're alive
Some people can thrive and bloom, living life in a living room
That's perfect for some people of one hundred and five
But I, at least gotta try
When I think of all the sights that I gotta see
And all the places I gotta play, All the things that I gotta be at
Come on papa, what'd'ya say?
Some people can be content, playin' bingo and payin' rent
That's livin' for some people, for some hum-drum people, to-oo be
But some people, ain't me
I had a dream, a wonderful dream, papa
All about June in the Orpheum circuit
Give me a chance, I know I can work it, uhh, what a dream
And it was just as real as could be, papa
Well just listen to me, there I was in Mr Orpheum's office
And he was sayin' to me, Rose!
Get yourself some new orchestrations, new routines and red velvet curtains
Get a feathered hat for the baby, photographed in front of the theater
Get an agent and in jig time, you'll be bein' booked in the big time
Oh what a dream, a wonderful dream, papa
And all that I need is eighty-eight bucks, Papa, that's it
That's what he said papa, only eighty-eight bucks, papa
It's uh, yeah, but it's only eighty-eight bucks
It's not like I'm askin' for a second mortgage on this place
What d'ya gettin so crick, why you gettin' crazy, it's eighty-eight lousy bucks
What do you mean I ain't gettin' eighty-eight cents outta you
Well, I'll get it, and I'll get my kids, out, now
Goodbye, to blueberry pies, good riddance to all the socials I had to go to
All the lodges that I had to play, all the Shriners I said hell
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Some People Lyrics as written by Stephen Sondheim Jule Styne
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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