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.
There's no way
I'm coming back to you
I've just got to say
That everything we did is through
You tried to undermine
The better ranges of my nature
But soon you're going to find
You should have started talking straighter
Now don't you worry
I won't put you down
I'm in no hurry, baby
To see you go to ground
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
Well there's no hope
For peace and reconciliation
You're quick to play your hand
But what you haven't learnt is patience
So look before you leap
To tell the world your colored story
It's clear your talk is cheap
You'd do anything to get your glory
So spread your wings and fly
There is no doubt
You're so sorry inside you've got something to shout about
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
And there's no love
Ever to be lost between us
I guess this is because
The damage that you've done is so grievous
So I hang my head
To dwell on what might have been
But what you left instead
Is pieces of a broken dream
Now don't you worry
I won't put you down
I'm in no hurry
To see you go to ground
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
So spread your wings and fly
There is no doubt
You're so sorry inside you've
Got something to shout about
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
Don't you see that you're only king for a day
You must believe that
I'm coming back to you
I've just got to say
That everything we did is through
You tried to undermine
The better ranges of my nature
But soon you're going to find
You should have started talking straighter
Now don't you worry
I won't put you down
I'm in no hurry, baby
To see you go to ground
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
Well there's no hope
For peace and reconciliation
You're quick to play your hand
But what you haven't learnt is patience
So look before you leap
To tell the world your colored story
It's clear your talk is cheap
You'd do anything to get your glory
So spread your wings and fly
There is no doubt
You're so sorry inside you've got something to shout about
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
And there's no love
Ever to be lost between us
I guess this is because
The damage that you've done is so grievous
So I hang my head
To dwell on what might have been
But what you left instead
Is pieces of a broken dream
Now don't you worry
I won't put you down
I'm in no hurry
To see you go to ground
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
So spread your wings and fly
There is no doubt
You're so sorry inside you've
Got something to shout about
Because it's true what they say
You know it's true what they say
You're only king for a day
I guess you're happy that way
Don't you see that you're only king for a day
You must believe that
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bitter words.. must be talking about his ex.