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.
Isn't it a pity
You don’t know what I’m talking about yet
But I’m gonna tell you soon, it’s a pity,
Isn’t it a pity
Isn't it a shame
Yes, how we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back,
Forgetting to remember
Just forgetting and no thank you
Isn't it a pity
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see that we're all the same
We’re all guilty
And because of all the tears
Our eyes can't hope to see
Though I don’t think it’s applicable to me
The beauty that surrounds them
Child, isn't it a pity
How we take each other's love,
Most precious thing
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Forgetting to keep open the door
But I understand some things take so long
How do I explain
Why not too many people
Can see we’re just the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can’t hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
God, isn’t it a pity
The beauty that surrounds us
And we don’t see it
We think things are just the same
(We’ve been programmed that way)
Isn’t it a pity?
If you want to feel sorry, isn’t it a pity?
Isn’t it a pity?
The beauty that surrounds us
Because of all our tears
Our eyes just can’t hope to see
Maybe one day at least I’ll see me
And just concentrate on
Givin’! Givin’! Givin! Givin!
Until that day
Mankind don’t stand a chance
Don’t know nothin’ about romance
Everything is plastic
Isn’t it a pity?
My God
You don’t know what I’m talking about yet
But I’m gonna tell you soon, it’s a pity,
Isn’t it a pity
Isn't it a shame
Yes, how we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back,
Forgetting to remember
Just forgetting and no thank you
Isn't it a pity
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see that we're all the same
We’re all guilty
And because of all the tears
Our eyes can't hope to see
Though I don’t think it’s applicable to me
The beauty that surrounds them
Child, isn't it a pity
How we take each other's love,
Most precious thing
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Forgetting to keep open the door
But I understand some things take so long
How do I explain
Why not too many people
Can see we’re just the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can’t hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
God, isn’t it a pity
The beauty that surrounds us
And we don’t see it
We think things are just the same
(We’ve been programmed that way)
Isn’t it a pity?
If you want to feel sorry, isn’t it a pity?
Isn’t it a pity?
The beauty that surrounds us
Because of all our tears
Our eyes just can’t hope to see
Maybe one day at least I’ll see me
And just concentrate on
Givin’! Givin’! Givin! Givin!
Until that day
Mankind don’t stand a chance
Don’t know nothin’ about romance
Everything is plastic
Isn’t it a pity?
My God
Lyrics submitted by Golgotha
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