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.
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
I loved real, real hard once
But the love wasn't returned
Found out the man I'd die for
He wasn't even concerned
I tried, and I tried, and I tried
To keep him in my life (to keep him in my life)
I cried, and I cried, and I cried
But I couldn't make it right
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
That what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't catch it)
(If you don't catch it)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you just let it)
If you just let it (if you just let it)
See, I thought this feeling
It was all that I had
But how could this be love
And make me feel so bad? (Gave up my power)
Gave up my power
I existed for you
But who-ever knew
The voo-doo you'd do
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
What you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
See what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it
If you just let it
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
So bad (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
I loved real, real hard once
But the love wasn't returned
Found out the man I'd die for
He wasn't even concerned
I tried, and I tried, and I tried
To keep him in my life (to keep him in my life)
I cried, and I cried, and I cried
But I couldn't make it right
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
That what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't catch it)
(If you don't catch it)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you just let it)
If you just let it (if you just let it)
See, I thought this feeling
It was all that I had
But how could this be love
And make me feel so bad? (Gave up my power)
Gave up my power
I existed for you
But who-ever knew
The voo-doo you'd do
But I, I loved the young man
And if you ever been in love
Then you'd understand
What you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
If you just let it (if you don't, you don't)
See what you want might make you cry
What you need might pass you by
If you don't catch it (if you don't, you don't)
(If you don't, you don't)
And what you need ironically
Will turn out what you want to be
If you just let it
If you just let it
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
Why's it feel so good? (When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
When it hurts so bad (when it hurts so bad)
So bad (when it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
(When it hurts so bad)
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