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 was born in the jungle
With the sickening smell of cinnamon in the air
Born in a white hole
And I can't believe the colors here today
Stalk on a circle
I've never been blessed with an elephant memory and
I'm riding a red line nowhere
If it takes 40 years for the gun to be paid for
If it takes 40 years I'll put the money away
If it takes 40 years to get the things that I need sir
If it takes 40 years I want the thunder and the rain
I wanna buy me a good home
Where the rising cost of raising children
Is not a factor
And you can't believe the things it does to me
I'm filled with the white noise
Well I never did much of anything anyway
Jump on a big train nowhere
If it takes 40 years for the gun to be paid for
If it takes 40 years I'll put the money away
If it takes 40 years to get the things that I need sir
If it takes 40 years I want the thunder and the rain
I wanna buy me a good heart
And a conscience
And maybe raise some children
I wanna get me a good wife
And a God and God and God and God and
I'll start me a new life
With a six foot color television
I'll start me a new life somewhere
I was born on a warm night
On the right coast
Southeastern America
Dead on arrival
But you can't believe the things you hear today
I'll fly me a white plane over water
Over blue and green and
Land in the ocean somewhere
With the sickening smell of cinnamon in the air
Born in a white hole
And I can't believe the colors here today
Stalk on a circle
I've never been blessed with an elephant memory and
I'm riding a red line nowhere
If it takes 40 years for the gun to be paid for
If it takes 40 years I'll put the money away
If it takes 40 years to get the things that I need sir
If it takes 40 years I want the thunder and the rain
I wanna buy me a good home
Where the rising cost of raising children
Is not a factor
And you can't believe the things it does to me
I'm filled with the white noise
Well I never did much of anything anyway
Jump on a big train nowhere
If it takes 40 years for the gun to be paid for
If it takes 40 years I'll put the money away
If it takes 40 years to get the things that I need sir
If it takes 40 years I want the thunder and the rain
I wanna buy me a good heart
And a conscience
And maybe raise some children
I wanna get me a good wife
And a God and God and God and God and
I'll start me a new life
With a six foot color television
I'll start me a new life somewhere
I was born on a warm night
On the right coast
Southeastern America
Dead on arrival
But you can't believe the things you hear today
I'll fly me a white plane over water
Over blue and green and
Land in the ocean somewhere
Lyrics submitted by ang, edited by am_distracted
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