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.
Listen, big boy
Now that you got me made
Goodness, but I'm afraid
Somethin's gonna happen to you
Listen, big boy
You gotta be hooked, and how
I would die if I should lose you now
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Wear your flannel underwear
When you climb a tree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Boop-boop-a-doop
When you sass a traffic cop
Use diplomacy
Just take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll
Keep the spoon out of your cup
When you're drinking tea
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Now that you got me made
Goodness, but I'm afraid
Somethin's gonna happen to you
Listen, big boy
You gotta be hooked, and how
I would die if I should lose you now
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Eat an apple every day
Get to bed by three
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Be careful crossing streets, ooh, ooh
Cut out sweets, ooh, ooh
Lay off meat, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Wear your flannel underwear
When you climb a tree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Button up your overcoat
When the wind is free
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Boop-boop-a-doop
When you sass a traffic cop
Use diplomacy
Just take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Beware of frozen funds, ooh, ooh
Stocks and bonds, ooh, ooh
Dockside thugs, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll
Keep the spoon out of your cup
When you're drinking tea
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh, ooh
Or on nails, ooh, ooh
Or third rails, ooh, ooh
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum
Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree
Oh, take good care of yourself
You belong to me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Button Up Your Overcoat Lyrics as written by Lew Brown George Gard Buddy Desylva
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Word Collections Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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