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.
No matter how much I say that I have learned life's lessons
The only way to know life's lessons, is when it smacks you right in the face
Rubberband stretched to the limit, but still I cannot help but pull it just a little bit more
Once again my whole world crumbles walls cave in and I fall backwards
Everything I know taken out at the knee
Hands stuffed deep into my mouth to keep from choking on the words
That shows how much I know about nothing at all
I know that that these days will have an end, just like I know that I'll be back again
This place is awful but it's familiar
The only way to know life's lessons, is when it smacks you right in the face
Rubberband stretched to the limit, but still I cannot help but pull it just a little bit more
Once again my whole world crumbles walls cave in and I fall backwards
Everything I know taken out at the knee
Hands stuffed deep into my mouth to keep from choking on the words
That shows how much I know about nothing at all
I know that that these days will have an end, just like I know that I'll be back again
This place is awful but it's familiar
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awesome song. one of my favorites.