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.
I can't get enough of what I need
People all around me lettin' me bleed
Waitin' for the darkness to blind the heat
I make my livin' out on the streets
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free
Flashin' lights keep runnin' through my brain
Someone find the doctor to ease all the pain
Traffic in the city is burnin' me out
She makes me want to jump up and shout
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
No more, no more
I've gotta get away
Dirty livin', dirty livin'
Ahh, dirty livin'
Late night outta China is due in tonight
Mother, sister, brother are lyin' uptight
I can hear the jukebox poundin' out loud
I take my fury out on the crowd
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
No more, no more
I've gotta get away
Dirty livin', dirty livin'
It's gettin' to me, it's gettin' to me
I can't wait, I can't wait
Dirty livin', dirty livin', yeah
Why don't you set me free
People all around me lettin' me bleed
Waitin' for the darkness to blind the heat
I make my livin' out on the streets
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free
Flashin' lights keep runnin' through my brain
Someone find the doctor to ease all the pain
Traffic in the city is burnin' me out
She makes me want to jump up and shout
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
No more, no more
I've gotta get away
Dirty livin', dirty livin'
Ahh, dirty livin'
Late night outta China is due in tonight
Mother, sister, brother are lyin' uptight
I can hear the jukebox poundin' out loud
I take my fury out on the crowd
Dirty livin', ahh, dirty livin'
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
I can't wait any longer to set myself free, ahh
No more, no more
I've gotta get away
Dirty livin', dirty livin'
It's gettin' to me, it's gettin' to me
I can't wait, I can't wait
Dirty livin', dirty livin', yeah
Why don't you set me free
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by WesterMats
Dirty Livin' Lyrics as written by Stanley Penridge Peter Criss
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is a really cool song! I get so happy when I listen to it. Rock on, Peter!