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.
Well he can't sleep at night
And he can't do what's right
It was all because she came into his life
It's a deep obsession, taking up his time
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
And he must confess
All the impure thoughts of his beautiful temptress
Although he keeps it all bottled up inside
Although he keeps it all safe within his mind, oh yeah
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
So wipe that smile off your face
Before it gets too late
There's only so much time
For you to make up your mind
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
And he can't do what's right
It was all because she came into his life
It's a deep obsession, taking up his time
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
And he must confess
All the impure thoughts of his beautiful temptress
Although he keeps it all bottled up inside
Although he keeps it all safe within his mind, oh yeah
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
So wipe that smile off your face
Before it gets too late
There's only so much time
For you to make up your mind
She's all that he wants, she's all that he needs
She's everything he just won't believe
Take away his doubt, turn him inside out
Then she can see what he's been dying to say
But things don't always turn out that way
Lyrics submitted by punkmebabygal
Things Don't Always Turn Out That Way Lyrics as written by Alex Band Aaron Kamin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this song is soo good! hes saying that this girl is "all that he wants, and needs" but he just wont say it! its kinda happened to me b4 . well the songs self explanatory haha
Oi...I could swear they somehow got into one of my friend's heads while they were writing this song. It sounds soooo much like him it's scary.
Yeah, this song is awesome! What I think it's about is a guy likes this girl ("all that he wants, all that he needs") but is nervous about telling her. Great song
my ex and one of my mates told me to get this song cos it was written about me :S. which is kinda right, but only for the first verse. well it wasn't actually written about me, but you get what i mean...
this song is about a guy who really likes a girl but is really shy and cant tell her so he misses out on this relationship and totally regrets it. at least thats what i think
@Desaparecida - this exactly happened to me
wow, what a familiar story :/
this song is out there. i dont mean spaceships and Big Foot out there i mean a story of a boy and a girl. its typical 'ah crap i duno' scared of rejection type thing and we have all had this experience and if we havent then we haven't lived yet. lol. i love this song i listened to this song for 3mths straight and eventually everyone who came round my house knew the words even my grandma who is 63 and my 6year old brother lol. so ya know. wot can i say? i admire the calling. their songs are so potentially perfect to the extent we actually understand every song they produce and that is talent to me, if i can relate to the lyrics and idea then, nuff sed for me rly lol. neway to the point i love this song!! it is fookin gr8 lol. Love it. Just to kinda add on to wot iv sed - take chances nd dont wait round, if rejection is what you fear then remember the first emotion humans endured the feel of was fear. the second was love. so i personally think the point of this song is to say - 'hey dont be afraid of wot u dont know!!'
haha the meaning has already been posted but this is a very good song, I always thought it should have been a single because of the chorus.