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.
Tommy Shea
Tommy Shea
Now Tommy Shea was just 22 years old
Sketchy lanky blonde brave and bold
He walked the strip of Newbury Street in Boston
He never noticed me cause I was a kid and only 10 now
He used to skank it up like I never ever saw
This Tommy kid yeah he fucking had it all
Black boots flight jacket bicked head and all
This kid was a wrecking shop
Yeah he was a fucking wall
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
I throw my Pac-Man shirt on (I throw my Pac-Man shirt on)
My cordoroys and my velcro on my feet
Because I never knew what was going on (what's going on)
Until I found Boston's own Middle East
Because upstairs downstairs I didn't give a care
I was happy just hearing all the ska blare
A funny thing a thing that made me just so fat so
In 82 I guess it's worth it to take a look back
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
(Chorus:)
Tommy kicked ass in 82
He kicked ass in 82
Tommy kicked ass in 82
That's right he kicked ass in 82
Hey Tommy where did you go
I wanna find you to let you know
This sketchy song is just for you
I'm not kidding I really wanna find you
Hey Tommy where did you go
I wanna find you to let you know
This sketchy song is just for you
I'm not kidding I used to wanna be like you
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
(Chorus)
Tommy kicking ass I said in 82 well all right now
I said he kicked ass in 82 that's right
I said he kicked ass in 82 come on
I said he kicked ass in eighty-ty eighty-ty two
Tommy Shea
Now Tommy Shea was just 22 years old
Sketchy lanky blonde brave and bold
He walked the strip of Newbury Street in Boston
He never noticed me cause I was a kid and only 10 now
He used to skank it up like I never ever saw
This Tommy kid yeah he fucking had it all
Black boots flight jacket bicked head and all
This kid was a wrecking shop
Yeah he was a fucking wall
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
I throw my Pac-Man shirt on (I throw my Pac-Man shirt on)
My cordoroys and my velcro on my feet
Because I never knew what was going on (what's going on)
Until I found Boston's own Middle East
Because upstairs downstairs I didn't give a care
I was happy just hearing all the ska blare
A funny thing a thing that made me just so fat so
In 82 I guess it's worth it to take a look back
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
(Chorus:)
Tommy kicked ass in 82
He kicked ass in 82
Tommy kicked ass in 82
That's right he kicked ass in 82
Hey Tommy where did you go
I wanna find you to let you know
This sketchy song is just for you
I'm not kidding I really wanna find you
Hey Tommy where did you go
I wanna find you to let you know
This sketchy song is just for you
I'm not kidding I used to wanna be like you
Remember when Tommy used to say
Oi Oi
Remember when Tommy used to scream
Oi Oi
(Chorus)
Tommy kicking ass I said in 82 well all right now
I said he kicked ass in 82 that's right
I said he kicked ass in 82 come on
I said he kicked ass in eighty-ty eighty-ty two
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