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.
Think once, think twice
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
Not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Write a story, write a song
You’ll lose the ability before too long
Listen to your teachers teach
Soon the knowledge will be out of your reach
Play a sport while you can
Never walk so you can say you ran
Try to keep every single friend
Give yourself permission to cry when a relationship ends
Keep in mind wherever you go, whatever you’re thinking of
You never know, soon you might fall in love
When life gets too deep, emotions too strong
Stay in there, you’ve got to hold on
Think once, think twice
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Get out there, meet new faces
They’ll all respect you need your wide open spaces
Don’t forget the past
It’s not that much to ask
Remember your friends
You don’t have to keep up with all the trends
Decorate your room, let your personality out
Don’t worry about getting dirty when you’re out and about
If you don’t understand something, ask
When you are bored, find yourself a task
If you’re sad, cry
If you want to know, then just ask why
Laugh when something is funny
Enjoy the sun when it’s out, it won’t always be sunny
Learn to take insults just fine
Try not to put your life on the line
Think once, think twice
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
Not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
Not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Write a story, write a song
You’ll lose the ability before too long
Listen to your teachers teach
Soon the knowledge will be out of your reach
Play a sport while you can
Never walk so you can say you ran
Try to keep every single friend
Give yourself permission to cry when a relationship ends
Keep in mind wherever you go, whatever you’re thinking of
You never know, soon you might fall in love
When life gets too deep, emotions too strong
Stay in there, you’ve got to hold on
Think once, think twice
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Get out there, meet new faces
They’ll all respect you need your wide open spaces
Don’t forget the past
It’s not that much to ask
Remember your friends
You don’t have to keep up with all the trends
Decorate your room, let your personality out
Don’t worry about getting dirty when you’re out and about
If you don’t understand something, ask
When you are bored, find yourself a task
If you’re sad, cry
If you want to know, then just ask why
Laugh when something is funny
Enjoy the sun when it’s out, it won’t always be sunny
Learn to take insults just fine
Try not to put your life on the line
Think once, think twice
Before you make a decision
'Cause you can’t go back
There’s nothing after that
Not once, but twice
Don’t make a mistake
The future’s coming and it’s yours to take
Now is forever
Life is like a book
You turn the page
Chapter by chapter
The future is written
Escape from the cage
Break out into the world
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Now you’re no one’s little girl
Lyrics submitted by stardroplet
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