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.
You took a hair from my head and wrapped it round my little finger
We watched it turn from white to red, you said "I don't think you love her."
And I don't know what I would do
If I got you in my bedroom
I don't know what I would do
I'd probably choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
I heard you took your drugs off the hip of some prick one lonely summer?
We spoke in self-important tongues, I said "Yeah, as if I'd touch her."
And I don't know what I would do
If I got you in my bedroom
I don't know what I would do
I'd probably choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
And when you're done, lick me up
It's not love, it's just a goddamn disgrace
I took a hair from your head and wrapped it round your middle finger
"Sometimes I wish that I was dead."
"Oh please! As if I'd ever let ya."
And I don't know what I could do...
But I'd choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
And when you're done, lick me up
It's not love, it's just a goddamn disgrace
If I can't sleep, then it's your fault
It's your fault I'm the wreck I am
And if I can't speak, then it's your fault
And I miss you more than I can stand
But I don't know
I want to choke on you
We watched it turn from white to red, you said "I don't think you love her."
And I don't know what I would do
If I got you in my bedroom
I don't know what I would do
I'd probably choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
I heard you took your drugs off the hip of some prick one lonely summer?
We spoke in self-important tongues, I said "Yeah, as if I'd touch her."
And I don't know what I would do
If I got you in my bedroom
I don't know what I would do
I'd probably choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
And when you're done, lick me up
It's not love, it's just a goddamn disgrace
I took a hair from your head and wrapped it round your middle finger
"Sometimes I wish that I was dead."
"Oh please! As if I'd ever let ya."
And I don't know what I could do...
But I'd choke on you
You couldn't wipe the smile from my face
And when you're done, lick me up
It's not love, it's just a goddamn disgrace
If I can't sleep, then it's your fault
It's your fault I'm the wreck I am
And if I can't speak, then it's your fault
And I miss you more than I can stand
But I don't know
I want to choke on you
Lyrics submitted by Azazel23
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
"But I don't know, I want to choke on you." "After Tom (Bromley) had strummed the last reversed chord of the intro to this song, we all sat in silence and played it back as we looked out of the only window in the studio. There was an old awning that had weathered in the sun and it's bleached fabric of brown and gold was flapping against the glass, casting shadows into the studio; almost, somehow, moving in slow motion. Imagine that in your head when you listen to the intro. Transcendental, huh?"