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.
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Will you take the pain
I will give to you?
Again and again
And will you return it?
There'll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love
I'll take more than another river full
Yes, and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Will you take the pain
I will give to you?
Again and again
And will you return it?
There'll be days
When I stray
I may appear to be constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say
I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn
When you've got something to teach
Oh and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
(I won't say it again)
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Will you take the pain
I will give to you?
Again and again
And will you return it?
There'll be times
When my crimes
Will seem almost unforgivable
I give in to sin
Because you have to make this life livable
But when you think I've had enough
From your sea of love
I'll take more than another river full
Yes, and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Will you take the pain
I will give to you?
Again and again
And will you return it?
There'll be days
When I stray
I may appear to be constantly out of reach
I give in to sin
Because I like to practice what I preach
I'm not trying to say
I'll have it all my way
I'm always willing to learn
When you've got something to teach
Oh and I'll make it all worthwhile
I'll make your heart smile
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
I'll say it again, pain
Pain, will you return it?
(I won't say it again)
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
Strangelove
Strange highs and strange lows
Strangelove
That's how my love goes
Strangelove
Will you give it to me?
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This is one of the greatest songs ever created. For me, this song is about dealing with the inner struggle between right and wrong, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. There'll be times When my crimes Will seem almost unforgivable I give in to sin Because you have to make this life liveable
I think he's saying that he tries to live a moral life, but he realizes that he has to sin now and again because without sin his life would be boring/meaningless.
There'll be days When I'll stray I may appear to be Constantly out of reach I give in to sin Because I like to practice what I preach
What I gather from these lines are he gives into sin because he's actually doing what he thinks is the best way to live his life. For example, having sex with a lot of women is considered a "sin." However, he doesn't think so. So he's practicing what he believe, namely sex with a lot of women isn't wrong.
I agree most with you... I can understand where the others are coming from, but your imagery matches perfectly with my own thoughts. <br /> <br /> Ah yes, and this song comes up on iTunes... perfect timing.
My thoughts exactly. It makes the song very human to have him "confess" instead of rubbing it in your face that he's a bad ass, and you just have to deal with it.<br /> <br /> This brings back lots of good memories in college, when I'd go to Downtime or Pyramid Club in NY, or QXT's in NJ.
What hog wash. Do you also have a wooden leg to sell? People cheat not because they are confident and feel free. Ask any professional who deals with human behavior. Man cheats because he is weak and insecure. He cheats because he can. He cheats because it's easier and safer (and less threatening) than being emotionally invested. He cheats because he's arrogant in some way. (And when I say man I mean HUMANS.)I have yet to meet any person who cheats who is truly happy. They like the instant gratification; the ease of the temporary high; the excitement of the chase and of not getting caught; but they are all the same: they fear failure. And there's nothing more scary or painful than emotional failure in a relationship. Cheating can become a way of life...eventually it becomes boring and stale. And eventually it leaves the cheater alone. Time comes when everybody moves on with their spouses; children; and grandchildren while the cheater sits alone at a bar each night ogling 20-somethings who think s/he is a lonely, strange sicko, only to return home to a dark dank apartment and a quart of beer to dull the pain. (Am I biased on this topic? Yup. I've had girlfriends who were cheated on and I knew their husbands well; the men were pathetically easy to read.)