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.
You, you try, you try to get by.
"You're never going to pull it off",
"You shouldn't even try"
"You're a wet cigarette",
"You're always second best",
but they're never going to give a shit about anybody but themselves.
You fight for them to realize; there's more to life,
there's more to you, there's more than meets the eye.
And when you're done, the battle's been won.
You sit back, you smile and this is what you hum, you hum
12341234
The years go by, the time it does fly.
Every single second is a moment in time that passes oh,
so quick and it seems like nothing,
but when you're looking back,
well it amounts to everything.
I've got myself. I've got my friends.
I've got my little family, but that's not where it ends.
This one goes out to you, it goes out to everyone.
It's in the name of honesty because life has just begun.
12341234
Look around little brother,
Can you tell me what you see?
You're a big boy now, so take responsibility.
You never had it hard,
but now it's getting tough, so you whine, whine,
whine and you say you've had enough.
You say i'm full of shit
That i'm a hypocrite I shouldn't talk,
when i can't take the advice that i give?
Well maybe you're right, but open your eyes
the main difference here is that i try, try.
"You're never going to pull it off",
"You shouldn't even try"
"You're a wet cigarette",
"You're always second best",
but they're never going to give a shit about anybody but themselves.
You fight for them to realize; there's more to life,
there's more to you, there's more than meets the eye.
And when you're done, the battle's been won.
You sit back, you smile and this is what you hum, you hum
12341234
The years go by, the time it does fly.
Every single second is a moment in time that passes oh,
so quick and it seems like nothing,
but when you're looking back,
well it amounts to everything.
I've got myself. I've got my friends.
I've got my little family, but that's not where it ends.
This one goes out to you, it goes out to everyone.
It's in the name of honesty because life has just begun.
12341234
Look around little brother,
Can you tell me what you see?
You're a big boy now, so take responsibility.
You never had it hard,
but now it's getting tough, so you whine, whine,
whine and you say you've had enough.
You say i'm full of shit
That i'm a hypocrite I shouldn't talk,
when i can't take the advice that i give?
Well maybe you're right, but open your eyes
the main difference here is that i try, try.
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the pure ENERGY of this song live... it's so emotional... hearing it in concert, after an exhausting night of skanking... what a way to end a show.
this is one of the best songs from one of the best bands...
such a goooooooooooood fucking song you should hear it live
Way to end an album, this is like an outro, with props to everyone who helped on the album, mixed intot he song. The song is amazing in itself, starting out soft then getting harder as the lyrics change pace.
tough times...tough times, but good times.
gr8 song
one word...badass
yeah i love this song sooo much! catch 22 is a great band! and they're really wicked in concert! oi
This has to be the most incredible song I have ever heard by Catch 22. They seem so meaningful it almost brings a tear to my eye...almost.
woah, this is such an awesome song! it's extremly meaningful and amazing when done live!
I love this song, my cousin first showed me the band when i was like 13 but im not sure but i bought it as soon as i found it ^_^...if i ever go deaf i will remember his voice in this song and all of his keasby nights songs
"uh this is ect and id like to thank ^_^" "who'd you thank the ambassador of quan? Who the fuck is that" (btw i know i cant spell dont remind me)