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.
Something about the way you smiled at me just drove me wild
Wish I could know if you're alone, don't wanna cramp your style
But I cannot deny the feel that I feel when I look straight into your eyes
Feel my heart beating fast for a challenge may rise
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair
Like the way you've given me attention through the night
Maybe I've had too much Rémy, my man's right by my side
Every time I catch you watching me, feel something down my spine
I'll play the game, it's just for fun and only for tonight, all night
I wanna know what makes you feel the way you do (you do)
I think you're hoping there's a chance for me and you (and you)
Should I meet you at the bar and say we can't (we can't?)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
I know all you wanna know is answers
(I know all you wanna know is answers)
'Cause you can give me what I need
(You can give me everything I need)
We both know that we're attracted
Should we let our desires lead?
Should we let our desires lead? (Yeah)
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(I know, I know, you know, you know)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(You can tell me, tell me)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
(You can meet me at the bar, yeah) (I can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(Do you wanna know? I know you do)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(Is there's a chance for me and you?)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
(I can't, we can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair (I don't wanna be unfair)
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(Do you feel me, baby?)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(Can you tell me? Yeah)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't, you can't
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man
Wish I could know if you're alone, don't wanna cramp your style
But I cannot deny the feel that I feel when I look straight into your eyes
Feel my heart beating fast for a challenge may rise
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair
Like the way you've given me attention through the night
Maybe I've had too much Rémy, my man's right by my side
Every time I catch you watching me, feel something down my spine
I'll play the game, it's just for fun and only for tonight, all night
I wanna know what makes you feel the way you do (you do)
I think you're hoping there's a chance for me and you (and you)
Should I meet you at the bar and say we can't (we can't?)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
Unfair to Mr. Man, unfair to Mr. Man
I know all you wanna know is answers
(I know all you wanna know is answers)
'Cause you can give me what I need
(You can give me everything I need)
We both know that we're attracted
Should we let our desires lead?
Should we let our desires lead? (Yeah)
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(I know, I know, you know, you know)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(You can tell me, tell me)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
(You can meet me at the bar, yeah) (I can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(Do you wanna know? I know you do)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(Is there's a chance for me and you?)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't (you can't)
(I can't, we can't)
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair (I don't wanna be unfair)
I wanna know if you feel the way I do (I do)
(Do you feel me, baby?)
I wanna know if there's a chance for me and you (and you)
(Can you tell me? Yeah)
If there's no way, meet at the bar and say you can't, you can't
'Cause I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be
Unfair to Mr. Man
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Yeah, once in awhile you run into a "Mr. Man" lol.
Alicia keys for life