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 know when he's been on your mind
That distant look is in your eyes
I thought with time you'd realize it's over, over
It's not the way I choose to live
And something somewhere's got to give
As sharing this relationship gets older, older
You know I'd fight for you
But how can I fight someone who isn't even there?
I've had the rest of you, now I want the best of you
I don't care if that's not fair
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
There are times it seems to me
I'm sharing you with memories
I feel it in my heart but I don't show it, show it
And then there's times you look at me
As though I'm all that you can see
Those times I don't believe it's right, I know it, know it
Don't make me promises
Baby, you never did know how to keep them well
I've had the rest of you, now I want the best of you
It's time to show and tell
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing
'Cause you and I
Could lose it all if you've got no more room
No where inside for me in your life
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's no where left to fall, it's now or never
Is it all or nothing at all? There's no where left to fall
It's now or never, is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all, nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
Are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
That distant look is in your eyes
I thought with time you'd realize it's over, over
It's not the way I choose to live
And something somewhere's got to give
As sharing this relationship gets older, older
You know I'd fight for you
But how can I fight someone who isn't even there?
I've had the rest of you, now I want the best of you
I don't care if that's not fair
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
There are times it seems to me
I'm sharing you with memories
I feel it in my heart but I don't show it, show it
And then there's times you look at me
As though I'm all that you can see
Those times I don't believe it's right, I know it, know it
Don't make me promises
Baby, you never did know how to keep them well
I've had the rest of you, now I want the best of you
It's time to show and tell
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing
'Cause you and I
Could lose it all if you've got no more room
No where inside for me in your life
Because I want it all or nothing at all
There's no where left to fall, it's now or never
Is it all or nothing at all? There's no where left to fall
It's now or never, is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all, nothing at all
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom, it's now or never
Is it all or are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
Are we just friends?
Is this how it ends with a simple telephone call?
You leave me here with nothing at all
Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter
All or Nothing Lyrics as written by Jason Edwards Bayley Cooke
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i agree with Anticrombie923 this is a much better version of the song :)