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.
See all the people
With hatred in their eyes
I can't help thinking that
It's only a disguise
Cause underneath that core
There's got to be more
That what we realize
Maybe they're scared
To let the inside out
Maybe they're afraid to
Show what they're all about
So they put on a heavy front and hope that no one else
Can work them out
So they pull on all the heaviness
But it's only an illusion heaviness
Can't you see
They're scared to
Show a little bit of emotion
In case a little bit of emotion
Gives them away
Look at that lady dancing around with no clothes
She'll give you all her body
That's if you've got the dough
She'll let you see most
Anything but there's one thing
That she'll never show
And that's a little bit of emotion
A little bit of emotion
In case a little bit of emotion
Gives her away
But it's a shame she's acting that way
Somehow she's gotta get through every day
And the only way
Is not to show one little bit of emotion
A little bit of true emotion
In case of a little bit of emotion
Gives her away
People learn their lines
And they act out their part
Then they talk on cue
But it's got no heart
It's all on the surface
And it's all contrived
They're scared to come out
Somehow they've got to survive
Look at that looney
With a smile on his face
He knows no shame
And feels no disgrace
He's got a look in her eyes
That makes it seem that he's from outer space
Maybe that looney knows what's it's all about
He's got something to say
But he can't spit it out
He's uncoordinated so we shut him out
In case he shows a little bit of emotion
A little bit of real emotion
We're afraid to see a bit of emotion
So we walk away
Show a little bit of real emotion
Show a little bit of emotion
We're afraid to see a bit of emotion
So we walk away
With hatred in their eyes
I can't help thinking that
It's only a disguise
Cause underneath that core
There's got to be more
That what we realize
Maybe they're scared
To let the inside out
Maybe they're afraid to
Show what they're all about
So they put on a heavy front and hope that no one else
Can work them out
So they pull on all the heaviness
But it's only an illusion heaviness
Can't you see
They're scared to
Show a little bit of emotion
In case a little bit of emotion
Gives them away
Look at that lady dancing around with no clothes
She'll give you all her body
That's if you've got the dough
She'll let you see most
Anything but there's one thing
That she'll never show
And that's a little bit of emotion
A little bit of emotion
In case a little bit of emotion
Gives her away
But it's a shame she's acting that way
Somehow she's gotta get through every day
And the only way
Is not to show one little bit of emotion
A little bit of true emotion
In case of a little bit of emotion
Gives her away
People learn their lines
And they act out their part
Then they talk on cue
But it's got no heart
It's all on the surface
And it's all contrived
They're scared to come out
Somehow they've got to survive
Look at that looney
With a smile on his face
He knows no shame
And feels no disgrace
He's got a look in her eyes
That makes it seem that he's from outer space
Maybe that looney knows what's it's all about
He's got something to say
But he can't spit it out
He's uncoordinated so we shut him out
In case he shows a little bit of emotion
A little bit of real emotion
We're afraid to see a bit of emotion
So we walk away
Show a little bit of real emotion
Show a little bit of emotion
We're afraid to see a bit of emotion
So we walk away
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Little Bit of Emotion Lyrics as written by Davies
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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