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.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I screwed it up again.
I made another friend
A desperado
Named trouble
He showed his gun to me
He took my money
I think I understand
What makes a boy become
A bad man.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
To suffer greatly
From the indignity
Of working for a living
Why would I want to breed?
And the monotony
Driving me crazy
I shouldn't rock the boat
I think my head's about to explode.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I lost my head.
I made my bed all by myself
Now I don't sleep in it so well.
I'm taking off my dress
But you won't touch me now
This room is such a mess
I really don't know how
To be the perfect girl
But in a perfect world
I'd give you what you need
And you'd be giving me
Another chance.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I lost my head.
I made my bed all by myself
Now I don't sleep in it so well
I guess maybe I was having a bad day
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I screwed it up again.
I made another friend
A desperado
Named trouble
He showed his gun to me
He took my money
I think I understand
What makes a boy become
A bad man.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
To suffer greatly
From the indignity
Of working for a living
Why would I want to breed?
And the monotony
Driving me crazy
I shouldn't rock the boat
I think my head's about to explode.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I lost my head.
I made my bed all by myself
Now I don't sleep in it so well.
I'm taking off my dress
But you won't touch me now
This room is such a mess
I really don't know how
To be the perfect girl
But in a perfect world
I'd give you what you need
And you'd be giving me
Another chance.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I ask myself why did I run away?
I guess maybe I was having a bad day.
I lost my head.
I made my bed all by myself
Now I don't sleep in it so well
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