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.
so you think you can take it? / the money blown, the empty throne / the twisted moan that echoes all around. and now there's no need to fake it / the towel thrown, the flower grown / the mercy shown, the scars from coming down.
baby i'm still lost inside a whorehouse / no one can protect me from my game / i make up the rules, i break them 'til it all shakes then drown in shame. baby i'm still lost inside a whorehouse / no one can protect me from the flame / i'm the pimp, the whore, the john since so fucking long / lord, what's my name?
baby you reel and rock / so low you hit the top / you feel it so much you don't feel it - shell shock. baby you reel and rock / so low you hit the top / you feel it so much you don't feel it - hard knock
so you think you can break it? / this bitch ass spell, this fancy hell / the sweet farewell that echoes all around. and now there's no need to fake it / this bitch ass cell, this shattered shell, the love that wells up smacking off my crown
baby you reel and rock / i wanna see you drop / feel it so much you don't feel it - overstock
baby i'm still lost inside a whorehouse / no one can protect me from my game / i make up the rules, i break them 'til it all shakes then drown in shame. baby i'm still lost inside a whorehouse / no one can protect me from the flame / i'm the pimp, the whore, the john since so fucking long / lord, what's my name?
baby you reel and rock / so low you hit the top / you feel it so much you don't feel it - shell shock. baby you reel and rock / so low you hit the top / you feel it so much you don't feel it - hard knock
so you think you can break it? / this bitch ass spell, this fancy hell / the sweet farewell that echoes all around. and now there's no need to fake it / this bitch ass cell, this shattered shell, the love that wells up smacking off my crown
baby you reel and rock / i wanna see you drop / feel it so much you don't feel it - overstock
Lyrics submitted by wbacph
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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