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.
A prostitute to your art
In debt before you start
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Be careful of the sharks
Believe in what you're told
You're worth your weight in gold
Here comes the catch, you're on their patch
Twice over you've been sold
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
Two years you were the star
Pretty girls and fancy cars
Now moneys gone, she won't hold on
No free beer at the bar
Working for 'Burke & Hare'
It's a business that doesn't care
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Who said that life was fair?
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
Believe in what you're told
You're worth your weight in gold
Here comes the catch, you're on their patch
Twice over you've been sold
Working for 'Burke & Hare'
It's a business that doesn't care
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Who said that life was fair?
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
In debt before you start
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Be careful of the sharks
Believe in what you're told
You're worth your weight in gold
Here comes the catch, you're on their patch
Twice over you've been sold
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
Two years you were the star
Pretty girls and fancy cars
Now moneys gone, she won't hold on
No free beer at the bar
Working for 'Burke & Hare'
It's a business that doesn't care
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Who said that life was fair?
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
Believe in what you're told
You're worth your weight in gold
Here comes the catch, you're on their patch
Twice over you've been sold
Working for 'Burke & Hare'
It's a business that doesn't care
You've made your bed, don't lose your head
Who said that life was fair?
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
It's a long long road could you get back home
Old bridges you are burning
There's time to kill when you pay the bill
'Cos boys must keep on learning
Keep on learning, got to keep on learning
Keep on learning else your fingers get burned
Lyrics submitted by BeautifulDisaster
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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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