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.
Oh no, what we gonna do?
The king likes Daniel more than me and you
Oh, no, what we gonna do?
We gotta get him out of here
Oh no, what we gonna do?
The king likes Daniel more than me and you
Oh, no, what we gonna do?
We gotta get him out of here
We could throw him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
In the dungeon (the king likes Daniel more than me and you)
We could let him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
Rot in jail (we gotta get him out of here)
We could drag him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
To the ocean (the king likes Daniel more than me and you)
Have him eaten (oh no, what we gonna do?)
By a whale (we gotta get him out of here)
We could throw him in the Tigris (we could throw him)
Let him float a while (in the dungeon)
Then we'll all sit back
And watch him meet a hungry crocodile
We could put him on a camel's back (we could let him)
And send him off to Ur (rot in jail)
With a cowboy hat without a brim
A boot without a spur
We could give him jelly doughnuts (we could drag him)
Take them all away (to the ocean)
Or we could fill his ears with cheese balls
And his nostrils with sorbet
We could use him as a footstool (have him eaten)
Or a table to play Scrabble on (by a whale)
Then tie him up and beat him up
And throw him out of Babylon
Or (yeah, mmm-hmm, oh)
I like it, it's sneaky
And it just might work
We could use him as a footstool
Or a table to play Scrabble on
Then tie him up and beat him up
And throw him out of Babylon
The very next morning
The wisemen appeared before King Darius
To try to trap Daniel with their scheme
You wanted to see me?
Ahem
The king likes Daniel more than me and you
Oh, no, what we gonna do?
We gotta get him out of here
Oh no, what we gonna do?
The king likes Daniel more than me and you
Oh, no, what we gonna do?
We gotta get him out of here
We could throw him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
In the dungeon (the king likes Daniel more than me and you)
We could let him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
Rot in jail (we gotta get him out of here)
We could drag him (oh no, what we gonna do?)
To the ocean (the king likes Daniel more than me and you)
Have him eaten (oh no, what we gonna do?)
By a whale (we gotta get him out of here)
We could throw him in the Tigris (we could throw him)
Let him float a while (in the dungeon)
Then we'll all sit back
And watch him meet a hungry crocodile
We could put him on a camel's back (we could let him)
And send him off to Ur (rot in jail)
With a cowboy hat without a brim
A boot without a spur
We could give him jelly doughnuts (we could drag him)
Take them all away (to the ocean)
Or we could fill his ears with cheese balls
And his nostrils with sorbet
We could use him as a footstool (have him eaten)
Or a table to play Scrabble on (by a whale)
Then tie him up and beat him up
And throw him out of Babylon
Or (yeah, mmm-hmm, oh)
I like it, it's sneaky
And it just might work
We could use him as a footstool
Or a table to play Scrabble on
Then tie him up and beat him up
And throw him out of Babylon
The very next morning
The wisemen appeared before King Darius
To try to trap Daniel with their scheme
You wanted to see me?
Ahem
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Oh, No! What We Gonna Do? Lyrics as written by Randy Crawford Chris Stevens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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