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.
Ten fingers counting we have each
Nine planets around the sun repeat
Eight ball the last, if you triumphant be
Seven oceans pummel the shores of the sea
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
Six senses feeling
Five around a sense of self
Four seasons turn on and turn off
I can see three corners from this corner
Two's the perfect number
But one, well
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
We can't do a thing about it
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Yeah, well
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
('Roi!)
(yeah)
It all comes down to nothing
It all comes down to nothing
It all comes
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
We can't do a thing about it
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Nine planets around the sun repeat
Eight ball the last, if you triumphant be
Seven oceans pummel the shores of the sea
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
Six senses feeling
Five around a sense of self
Four seasons turn on and turn off
I can see three corners from this corner
Two's the perfect number
But one, well
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
We can't do a thing about it
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Yeah, well
Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
('Roi!)
(yeah)
It all comes down to nothing
It all comes down to nothing
It all comes
Oh, Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
Everyone will come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't get in line
We'll lock you away
It all comes down to nothing
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
We can't do a thing about it
Too many choices
It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
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wow, I thought dave was the originator of that countdown too but wherever it comes from, I think it's amazing. It's so refreshing to have someone who creates actual poetry for lyrics instead of singing conversational sentences like punk bands or rappers.