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.
Hey lady, what do you need?
Do you think you'd like to come and bleed with me?
I'd like to invite you to a taste of my chalice
It's a special one, it's made of gold
(Passed out)
Passed out on your couch
You left me there (thank you)
Let me sleep it off
I need to sleep it off
I need to sleep why don't you let me
I need to sleep why don't you
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep, why won't you let me
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
Why won't you, why won't you let me sleep?
The jam kids on the Vespas
And glum looks on their faces
The street is full of punks
They got spikes
See those rockers with their long curly locks
Goodnight to the rock and roll era
'Cause they don't need you anymore
Little girl, boy, girl,
Boy
Their composures are so distracted
Jasper's skinny arms
And the dance faction, a little too loose for me
Every night it's straight and narrow
Laws are broken, amusing era
Round and round and round and round she goes
Pull out their plugs and they snort up their drugs
When they pull out their plugs and they snort up their drugs
Their throats are filled with
Do you think you'd like to come and bleed with me?
I'd like to invite you to a taste of my chalice
It's a special one, it's made of gold
(Passed out)
Passed out on your couch
You left me there (thank you)
Let me sleep it off
I need to sleep it off
I need to sleep why don't you let me
I need to sleep why don't you
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep, why won't you let me
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
I need to sleep
Why won't you, why won't you let me sleep?
The jam kids on the Vespas
And glum looks on their faces
The street is full of punks
They got spikes
See those rockers with their long curly locks
Goodnight to the rock and roll era
'Cause they don't need you anymore
Little girl, boy, girl,
Boy
Their composures are so distracted
Jasper's skinny arms
And the dance faction, a little too loose for me
Every night it's straight and narrow
Laws are broken, amusing era
Round and round and round and round she goes
Pull out their plugs and they snort up their drugs
When they pull out their plugs and they snort up their drugs
Their throats are filled with
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I am pretty sure the song can be outlined like this:
the first part of the song is depicting stevie being hung over. he's hung over because he was partyin it up last night, but now the party (the rock and roll era) is over.
the second part of that song is him recounting all of the people that were at the "party with him" and he's telling him to say goodnight to the rock and roll era which.
the third part is him critiquing other music scenes with a bunch of word play. composers (classical music) are distracted (as opposed to keeping their composure, or remaining composed). jazz buff's skinny arms (which would make them the OPPOSITE of buff!) then the "straight and narrow" dance "faction (which you would expect to be somewhat exclusive)" is too loose for him. laws are broken, amusing era, walls are broke in the music era are two lines that intentionally are made to sound almost exactly the same when you say them aloud. he is also commenting of the progress and raucousness of the "music era" or perhaps more specifically the rock era.
the ending is a bit harder to interpret but it probably has something to do with unplugging instruments/ending your career for or because of drugs. i guess.
"party" with him and he's telling them to say goodnight to the rock and roll era which has ended.***:x