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 know you're not mine, only borrowed
'Cause you already belong to her, at least you said so
But I'm starting to believe it ain't the whole truth
'Cause when we're lying side by side, I get the whole you
I wanna hold out, but gotta hold on
Even though I know it's wrong
I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
But you're borrowed
Do you tell her that you love her
Like you do me
Do you make love to her
The way you make love to me
Well I keep myself alone in case you call tonight
Oh it's pathetic how I lie around and wait
All the damn time
It's a short hide and long low
Every time you have to go
I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
'Cause you're borrowed
Only borrowed
How much time is left and you don't return
Don't return
How much time?
Oh, is left, till you don't return
Don't return, how much time?
I know you're not mine, only borrowed
And I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
I don't want to give you back
No I don't want to give you back
No I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
'Cause you're borrowed, only borrowed
Yeah you're borrowed
'Cause you already belong to her, at least you said so
But I'm starting to believe it ain't the whole truth
'Cause when we're lying side by side, I get the whole you
I wanna hold out, but gotta hold on
Even though I know it's wrong
I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
But you're borrowed
Do you tell her that you love her
Like you do me
Do you make love to her
The way you make love to me
Well I keep myself alone in case you call tonight
Oh it's pathetic how I lie around and wait
All the damn time
It's a short hide and long low
Every time you have to go
I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
'Cause you're borrowed
Only borrowed
How much time is left and you don't return
Don't return
How much time?
Oh, is left, till you don't return
Don't return, how much time?
I know you're not mine, only borrowed
And I don't want to give you back
I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
I don't want to give you back
No I don't want to give you back
No I don't want to give you back
You're the best I'll never have
So I don't want to give you back
'Cause you're borrowed, only borrowed
Yeah you're borrowed
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