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.
We are what we're supposed to be
Illusions of your fantasy
All dots and lines that speak and say
What we do is what you wish to do
We are the cartoon symphony
We do the things you want to see
Frame by frame, to the extreme
Our friends are so unreasonable
They do the unpredictable
All dots and lines that speak and say
What we do is what you wish to do
It's all an orchestra of strings,
Doing unbelievable things
Frame by frame, to the extreme
One by one, we're making it fun
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
Here comes Spiderman, an arachnophobian
Welcome to the toon town party
Here comes superman from never-never land
Welcome to the toon town party
We learn to run at speed of light
And to fall down from many heights
It's true but just remember that
What we do is what you just can't do
I know the route of craziness
A bunch of dots that's chasin' us
Frame by frame, to the extreme
One by one, we're making it fun
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
Here comes Spiderman, an arachnophobian
Welcome to the toon town party
Here comes superman from never-never land
Welcome to the toon town party
You'll think we're so mysterious
Don't take us all too serious
Be original, and remember that
What we do is what you just can can't do
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
There's still more to come,
And everyone will be
Welcomed at the
Toon (toon)
Town (town)
Party!
Illusions of your fantasy
All dots and lines that speak and say
What we do is what you wish to do
We are the cartoon symphony
We do the things you want to see
Frame by frame, to the extreme
Our friends are so unreasonable
They do the unpredictable
All dots and lines that speak and say
What we do is what you wish to do
It's all an orchestra of strings,
Doing unbelievable things
Frame by frame, to the extreme
One by one, we're making it fun
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
Here comes Spiderman, an arachnophobian
Welcome to the toon town party
Here comes superman from never-never land
Welcome to the toon town party
We learn to run at speed of light
And to fall down from many heights
It's true but just remember that
What we do is what you just can't do
I know the route of craziness
A bunch of dots that's chasin' us
Frame by frame, to the extreme
One by one, we're making it fun
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
Here comes Spiderman, an arachnophobian
Welcome to the toon town party
Here comes superman from never-never land
Welcome to the toon town party
You'll think we're so mysterious
Don't take us all too serious
Be original, and remember that
What we do is what you just can can't do
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
(What we do is what you just can't do)
We are the cartoon heroes, oh,
We are the ones who're gonna last forever
We came out of a crazy mind, oh,
And walked out on a piece of paper
There's still more to come,
And everyone will be
Welcomed at the
Toon (toon)
Town (town)
Party!
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