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.
I didn't come to California
To have a cup of coffee
If you don't mind I'll get right to the point
I heard about the baby
From Sarah when I saw her
I heard that Jeremiah's in the joint
I know you came out west to just start over
Looks just like the life you left in Kansas
With a baby in your bed and a man up in the pen
No way to make it work except for dancing
The lawyers bleed you dry and then he's guilty
You wore your best dress to the courthouse and then he's gone
What really broke your heart is when you got back to your car
The radio played his favorite song
I came to California
With a proposition
I wanna be the one that helps you out
Cause your daughters need a father
And if we could be together
I could be the man around your house
I know I've had some problems
I know I'm far from perfect
There's some things about my past that I'm not proud of
But after I left Kansas
I accepted my lord Jesus
Since then I've been mostly off the stuff
We both know Jeremiah really loves you
We also know its years till he gets out
Your daughters need a father
And we could be together
I can be the man around this house
I could be the man around this house
To have a cup of coffee
If you don't mind I'll get right to the point
I heard about the baby
From Sarah when I saw her
I heard that Jeremiah's in the joint
I know you came out west to just start over
Looks just like the life you left in Kansas
With a baby in your bed and a man up in the pen
No way to make it work except for dancing
The lawyers bleed you dry and then he's guilty
You wore your best dress to the courthouse and then he's gone
What really broke your heart is when you got back to your car
The radio played his favorite song
I came to California
With a proposition
I wanna be the one that helps you out
Cause your daughters need a father
And if we could be together
I could be the man around your house
I know I've had some problems
I know I'm far from perfect
There's some things about my past that I'm not proud of
But after I left Kansas
I accepted my lord Jesus
Since then I've been mostly off the stuff
We both know Jeremiah really loves you
We also know its years till he gets out
Your daughters need a father
And we could be together
I can be the man around this house
I could be the man around this house
Lyrics submitted by ksuwdboots, edited by heycitrus
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