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.
Jackson met a girl in a valley town
They fell into a teenage love she'd grow to hate
He's in prison now since he beat her down
He got her pregnant and she made it go away
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
I got a card today from a girl I know
She used to live alone in Philadelphia
She had to leave the state for a choice she made
She says she feels just like a hostage in her home
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
You can close your eyes you can fall and die
You can make your laws and make it go away
You can close your eyes but you can't make it go away
Can't make it go away
I just got a call from my uncle Mike
He said he left his wife and he's not going back
Said she changed her mind about a desire child
I asked him if he wants a place mat or a wife
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is wrong
They fell into a teenage love she'd grow to hate
He's in prison now since he beat her down
He got her pregnant and she made it go away
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
I got a card today from a girl I know
She used to live alone in Philadelphia
She had to leave the state for a choice she made
She says she feels just like a hostage in her home
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
You can close your eyes you can fall and die
You can make your laws and make it go away
You can close your eyes but you can't make it go away
Can't make it go away
I just got a call from my uncle Mike
He said he left his wife and he's not going back
Said she changed her mind about a desire child
I asked him if he wants a place mat or a wife
Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is wrong
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Pennsylvania Is... Lyrics as written by Craig Montoya Art Alexakis
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I believe this song is about the issue of abortion and, well, Pennsylvania and it's laws against it.
It cant be about that... Abortion is unfortunatly legal in PA
It's most definitely about abortion.
It's definitely about Pennsylvania and I love the song.
I think in 1994, when this song was written PA had anti abortion laws. Thats defently the impression the song gives anyway.
It could be FOR (or AGAINST)... It all depends on how you look at it.
Jackson met a girl in a valley town (someone met a small town girl) They fell into a teenage love she'd grow to hate (she falls hard for him - maybe because he's from a bigger city - and then begins to hate the relationship) He's in prison now since he beat her down (he started abusing her, so she called the police) He got her pregnant and she made it go away (she didn't want to have his baby, so she got an abortion) Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania I got a card today from a girl I know She used to live alone in Philadelphia She had to leave the state for a choice she made She says she feels just like a hostage in her home (a lady had to leave because she made a terrible choice. was the choice to HAVE a baby or to get an ABORTION?) Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania You can close your eyes, you can fall and die (you can close your eyes, and look away from the problem) You can hope your laws will make it go away (hiding from the problem by making up a stupid law) You can close your eyes but you can't make it go away (you can hide, but the problem will never leave) I just got a call from my uncle Mike He said he left his wife and he's not going back Said she changed her mind about a desire child I asked him if he wants a placemat or a wife (he left his girlfriend because he didn't want to have the child) Hey hey hey hey Pennsylvania is wrong (PA is stupid - AND HERE I MUST SAY I FULLY AGREE, but it has a lot to do with an ex and nothing to do with this song).