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.
It's so mean
It's crueler than your dreams
And it's worse than it seems
Add it up
And stick it in your cup
You're sure to get enough
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
Life's so cheap
It's cheaper than it looks
You can't learn that from books
Stay in the house
Stay clear of what you fear
And you're old beyond your years
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
You're leaving your long shadows
Leaning into space
And your hardscrabble life
Is written all over your face
Counterfeit
The bankroll that was his
Fist of change that was yours
A life so cheap
It was cheaper than it looked
You can learn that from books
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
They'll leave you with a prayer book
And a pocket full of grace
And your hardscrabbled life
Is written all over your face
It's crueler than your dreams
And it's worse than it seems
Add it up
And stick it in your cup
You're sure to get enough
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
Life's so cheap
It's cheaper than it looks
You can't learn that from books
Stay in the house
Stay clear of what you fear
And you're old beyond your years
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
You're leaving your long shadows
Leaning into space
And your hardscrabble life
Is written all over your face
Counterfeit
The bankroll that was his
Fist of change that was yours
A life so cheap
It was cheaper than it looked
You can learn that from books
It runneth over now
You can't complain no more
Your bones are cracking now
You'd better knuckle down
They'll leave you with a prayer book
And a pocket full of grace
And your hardscrabbled life
Is written all over your face
Lyrics submitted by one hit wonder, edited by nappydoo
Crueler Lyrics as written by Chris Colbourn Bill Janovitz
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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