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.
Just 'Cos You Got The Power
You might be a financial wizard,
With a sack of loot,
All I see is a slimy lizard,
With an expensive suit,
Go on and run your corporation,
Go and kiss some ass,
You might buy half of the nation,
But you can't buy class
You bastards think it's funny,
Lyin' and thieving all your life,
Think all there is is money,
Got your future strapped up tight,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
You can take my fingers babe,
You can take my eyes,
You can take my past and future,
It won't make you wise,
You can have me thrown in jail,
You can steal my booze,
You can even read my mail,
Step on my blue suede shoes,
You bastards must be clever,
Got it mapped out in black and whit,
But don't forget you'll never,
Get a dog to walk upright,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
Go on out make another deal,
Feed your big fat face,
Go on out and cop a feel,
Get on somebody's case,
You surely would be satisfied,
If you could have it all,
But time ain't on your side,
You're going to the wall
You think that life's all dollars,
Greed and lust and spite,
But I wasn't born to follow,
Like to get my sleep at night,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
You might be a financial wizard,
With a sack of loot,
All I see is a slimy lizard,
With an expensive suit,
Go on and run your corporation,
Go and kiss some ass,
You might buy half of the nation,
But you can't buy class
You bastards think it's funny,
Lyin' and thieving all your life,
Think all there is is money,
Got your future strapped up tight,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
You can take my fingers babe,
You can take my eyes,
You can take my past and future,
It won't make you wise,
You can have me thrown in jail,
You can steal my booze,
You can even read my mail,
Step on my blue suede shoes,
You bastards must be clever,
Got it mapped out in black and whit,
But don't forget you'll never,
Get a dog to walk upright,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
Go on out make another deal,
Feed your big fat face,
Go on out and cop a feel,
Get on somebody's case,
You surely would be satisfied,
If you could have it all,
But time ain't on your side,
You're going to the wall
You think that life's all dollars,
Greed and lust and spite,
But I wasn't born to follow,
Like to get my sleep at night,
Just 'Cos You Got The Power,
That don't mean you got the right
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
Just 'Cos You Got the Power [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Philip Campbell Michael Burston
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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To correct myself on the first verse: You might be a financial wizard, With a sack of loot. But all I see is a slimy lizard, With an expensive suit. Go on and run your corporation, Go on and kiss some ass. You can buy off half the nation, But you can't buy class.