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.
Lies lies lies
You love those lies,
You tell them straight,
Straight to my face
They feel so right
They keep you safe
And you're so...
Good at it, oh it comes automatic
Lies more lies
I can tell they're lies
I can see right through,
You have see-through eyes
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret
Oh men like you
Keep me up at night
You want your women at home
And your bed on the side
You've got a telephone girl that you carry around
In your jean back pocket with her very own sound
And you're so...
Sly about it, oh it comes automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
A systematic habit
Sly about it, oh it comes automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
A systematic habit
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell mother, tell your father, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret
Automatic systematic habit x10
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell your mother, tell your brother, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be, I won't
I won't be, I won't
I won't, I won't
I won't be knocked down
You love those lies,
You tell them straight,
Straight to my face
They feel so right
They keep you safe
And you're so...
Good at it, oh it comes automatic
Lies more lies
I can tell they're lies
I can see right through,
You have see-through eyes
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret
Oh men like you
Keep me up at night
You want your women at home
And your bed on the side
You've got a telephone girl that you carry around
In your jean back pocket with her very own sound
And you're so...
Sly about it, oh it comes automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
A systematic habit
Sly about it, oh it comes automatic
Yeah, you're so good at it
A systematic habit
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell mother, tell your father, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret
Automatic systematic habit x10
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Not for you, not for me, not for your other lover
I won't be your dirty little secret
Knocked down, drag your name out all across the town
I won't be your dirty little secret
Tell your mother, tell your brother, tell your friends, tell your teacher
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be your dirty little secret
I won't be, I won't
I won't be, I won't
I won't, I won't
I won't be knocked down
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Shirley Manson tearing a womanizing jerk who is married and has multiple mistresses that she sees through his bullshit within seconds of talking to him/knows all about his rep and is telling him that she won't be his piece of ass on the side and will DESTROY him by way of exposing him and his shitty treatment of his women if he doesn't get the fuck out of her face.
Listening to it, I can't help though in thinking that if they do a video for the song, they need to get Josh Hamm to play the womanizer in question, since I listen to this song and I get the picture in my head of a woman telling Don Draper to drop dead and threatening to expose his adultery to everyone in the state of New Work if he doesn't get out of the woman's way.
I love this comment! I didn't really love this song until I read it :D The beat and the lyrics plus this interpretation just make it so badass lmao. Who was I to doubt Shirley Manson xD