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 never thought you'd hurt me
I guess you live and learn
That when you're playin' with fire, you're bound to get burned
Oh, I've been mistreated, I've been used before
I get kicked in the face, still I come back for more
But I won't cry no more 'cause the tears are all in vain
We can pick up the pieces, start it all again
Let's just get back to the way it was before
Oh, girl I can't take anymore
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby, don't treat me bad
Oh, don't treat me bad
I gave it everything but you threw it all away
I can't take any more of these games that you play
I've been through heartache and I've been through pain
And it's hard to believe you still treat me this way
But I won't cry no more 'cause the tears are all in vain
We can pick up the pieces, start it all again
Let's just get back to the way it was before
Oh, girl I can't take anymore
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby, don't treat me bad
Oh, don't treat me bad
'Cause girl, I can't take anymore, oh yeah
Now listen to me
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby
Now listen to me baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby
Don't treat me bad
Don't treat me bad
Oh yeah, don't treat me bad
No no, no no, no no, don't treat me bad
Don't treat me bad
I guess you live and learn
That when you're playin' with fire, you're bound to get burned
Oh, I've been mistreated, I've been used before
I get kicked in the face, still I come back for more
But I won't cry no more 'cause the tears are all in vain
We can pick up the pieces, start it all again
Let's just get back to the way it was before
Oh, girl I can't take anymore
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby, don't treat me bad
Oh, don't treat me bad
I gave it everything but you threw it all away
I can't take any more of these games that you play
I've been through heartache and I've been through pain
And it's hard to believe you still treat me this way
But I won't cry no more 'cause the tears are all in vain
We can pick up the pieces, start it all again
Let's just get back to the way it was before
Oh, girl I can't take anymore
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby, don't treat me bad
Oh, don't treat me bad
'Cause girl, I can't take anymore, oh yeah
Now listen to me
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby
Now listen to me baby, don't treat me bad
Well, this could be the best thing that you'll ever have
Baby, don't treat me bad
Well, you can do anything, but baby
Don't treat me bad
Don't treat me bad
Oh yeah, don't treat me bad
No no, no no, no no, don't treat me bad
Don't treat me bad
Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21
Don't Treat Me Bad Lyrics as written by Carl Snare Bill Leverty
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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This song is freaking awesome! The meaning is pretty self explanatory. He just wants things to be the way it was when he first met her. Makes you want to get up and dance! This song kicks ass!