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.
Tach it up, tach it up
Buddy gonna shut you down
It happened on the strip where the road is wide
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Two cool shorts standin' side by side
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Yeah, my fuel-injected Stingray and a four-thirteen
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Revvin' up our engines, and it sounds real mean
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Tach it up, tach it up
Buddy gonna shut you down
Declinin' numbers at an even rate
(Ooh, movin' out now)
At the count of one we both accelerate
(Ooh, movin' out now)
My Stingray is light the slicks are startin' to spin
(Ooh, movin' out now)
But the four-thirteen's really diggin' in
(Ooh, movin' out now)
Gotta be cool now
Power shift here we go
Superstock Dodge is windin' out in low
But my fuel injected Stingray's really startin' to go
To get the traction I'm ridin' the clutch
My pressure plate's burnin' that machine's too much
Pedal's to the floor, hear his dual quads drink
(Ooh, pump it up now)
And now the four-thirteen's lead is startin' to shrink
(Ooh, pump it up now)
He's hot with ram induction but it's understood
(Ooh, rev it up now)
I got a fuel injected engine sittin' under my hood
(Ooh, pump it up now)
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Buddy gonna shut you down
It happened on the strip where the road is wide
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Two cool shorts standin' side by side
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Yeah, my fuel-injected Stingray and a four-thirteen
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Revvin' up our engines, and it sounds real mean
(Ooh, rev it up now)
Tach it up, tach it up
Buddy gonna shut you down
Declinin' numbers at an even rate
(Ooh, movin' out now)
At the count of one we both accelerate
(Ooh, movin' out now)
My Stingray is light the slicks are startin' to spin
(Ooh, movin' out now)
But the four-thirteen's really diggin' in
(Ooh, movin' out now)
Gotta be cool now
Power shift here we go
Superstock Dodge is windin' out in low
But my fuel injected Stingray's really startin' to go
To get the traction I'm ridin' the clutch
My pressure plate's burnin' that machine's too much
Pedal's to the floor, hear his dual quads drink
(Ooh, pump it up now)
And now the four-thirteen's lead is startin' to shrink
(Ooh, pump it up now)
He's hot with ram induction but it's understood
(Ooh, rev it up now)
I got a fuel injected engine sittin' under my hood
(Ooh, pump it up now)
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Shut it off, shut it off
Buddy, now I shut you down
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Car and Driver magazine reenacted this song. They ran an identical Vette against a Dart. In the 60's the Big 3 offered their compacts with big V8's, tires, brakes,roll bars, etc. You could get a firebreather that looked like your Mom's 6 banger. The discerning eye could tell the diff. The Dart, with factory equipment, beat the Vette.