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.
A thorn in my side
A chip on my shoulder
A lump in my throat
The size of a boulder
The chill up my spine
Can't get any colder
And you wonder why I can't smile
A knot in my gut
An ape on my back
In the heat of the moment
I'm knocked off the track
You drop the ball
I pick up the slack
And you ask me why my hair's gray
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
I say it's green
And then you tell me it's red
Keep your thoughts and ideas
Locked inside of your head
We've got someone
Who can think for you instead
And he sounds just like the last one
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul
Responsible thinkers
Throw caution to the wind
But I find myself
Speaking from within
I can't live my life
Walking on eggshells
To stay on your good side
Using your words
Controlling my life
Can't you see it's my words
That gives you your life
So I hurt your feelings
Well I'm really sorry
But I don't give a shit, no
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul) [Repeat: x7]
A chip on my shoulder
A lump in my throat
The size of a boulder
The chill up my spine
Can't get any colder
And you wonder why I can't smile
A knot in my gut
An ape on my back
In the heat of the moment
I'm knocked off the track
You drop the ball
I pick up the slack
And you ask me why my hair's gray
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
I say it's green
And then you tell me it's red
Keep your thoughts and ideas
Locked inside of your head
We've got someone
Who can think for you instead
And he sounds just like the last one
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul (burning my soul)
Burning my soul
Responsible thinkers
Throw caution to the wind
But I find myself
Speaking from within
I can't live my life
Walking on eggshells
To stay on your good side
Using your words
Controlling my life
Can't you see it's my words
That gives you your life
So I hurt your feelings
Well I'm really sorry
But I don't give a shit, no
Twisting, turning
Losing all sense of yearning
Living and learning
The pressure keeps on
Burning my soul (burning my soul) [Repeat: x7]
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Cool song, like most from Infinity I wasn't too keen toward it at first, but it grew on me. I like the bass. I always thought it was "I see it's green and you tell me it's red." as opposed to "I say it's green and you tell me it's red." I 'see' it's green to me makes more sense because it's as if the person knows that someone is lying to their face and they're calling the other person out, whereas if it were I 'say' it's green, it would be like they believe that someone is lying to them yet they're unsure.