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.
Are these sensible shoes on my feet
I wear my shades so our eyes don't meet
I'm scared every fuckin' day
I wear my headphones so i can't hear what you say
Can i run
Switch to paranoid from having fun
Will he use his hands, knife, or a gun
Knuckles are white, wrapped around my mace
Comes from living in a terrorist state
Can i run
When he's following me
He's not my brother, he's my enemy
Is he behind the door or in back of the tree
Is he under the bed, is he in the back street
Can i run
I wear my shades so our eyes don't meet
I'm scared every fuckin' day
I wear my headphones so i can't hear what you say
Can i run
Switch to paranoid from having fun
Will he use his hands, knife, or a gun
Knuckles are white, wrapped around my mace
Comes from living in a terrorist state
Can i run
When he's following me
He's not my brother, he's my enemy
Is he behind the door or in back of the tree
Is he under the bed, is he in the back street
Can i run
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Can I Run Lyrics as written by Donita Sparks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the lyrics are actually
"is he under the bed, is he in the backseat?"
Regardless, I think this song has an obvious meaning; she's afraid of getting raped and is taking every possible precaution. It's a powerful song.
"Can I run is a song I wrote because, as usual I had to walk my dog at a very late hour, down my street, in Los Angeles, and I was in my pajamas and I had to put on gym shoes and my rape whistle, and put my hair under a baseball cap. And you know, basically try to look like a man, or whatever. It's a song about fear of being raped or attacked." -Donita Sparks, L7 Rockweekend 21 jan 1995