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 was alone in my room feeling sorry for myself.
Call me a prophet of doom, I could think of nothing else.
I found a Freudian book gathering dust upon my shelf.
I thought I'll give it a look, would it hurt or would it help?
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
I met the Wolfman and the Ratman, Anna-O and Little Hans.
They were walking on a tightrope, I never thought they had a chance.
And then a hand reached out to hold them just before they tumbled down.
But I was standing in a quicksand and I could not feel the ground.
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
I look back and try to find the part of me I don't know.
I won't stop till I see the truth. There's such a long way to go.
I saw a picture of a stranger but I don't understand.
He had a ring around his finger and something burning in his hand.
And I wanted him to teach me and I needed to believe.
But the shadows that he threw me were intended to deceive.
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
Call me a prophet of doom, I could think of nothing else.
I found a Freudian book gathering dust upon my shelf.
I thought I'll give it a look, would it hurt or would it help?
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
I met the Wolfman and the Ratman, Anna-O and Little Hans.
They were walking on a tightrope, I never thought they had a chance.
And then a hand reached out to hold them just before they tumbled down.
But I was standing in a quicksand and I could not feel the ground.
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
I look back and try to find the part of me I don't know.
I won't stop till I see the truth. There's such a long way to go.
I saw a picture of a stranger but I don't understand.
He had a ring around his finger and something burning in his hand.
And I wanted him to teach me and I needed to believe.
But the shadows that he threw me were intended to deceive.
Freudiana, do you want to be somebody?
Freudiana, do you want to change the world?
Lyrics submitted by Ice
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