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 remember my highschool teacher
she used to say I was a high school creature
and now my boss says I am a lost cause
sometimes things aren't what they seem
that’s why they called me a freak
yeah I don’t want to be like anybody else
that’s why they called me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
that’s why they called me a freak
I asked my therapist if there was a cure
for people scared and acting insecure
they treat me like a virus
they beat me to my knees
they treat me like a social disease
I was always away
im walking home everyday
these creeps would beat me up and take my money away
they made me feel like I'm a loser
no matter what I did
I was just your average fucked up kid
*chorus*
there is nothing worse than the sound
of the tears of the clown
when there is no one around
that’s why they call me a freak
cuz I don’t wanna live like ne body else
that’s why they called me a freak
im all alone in a crowd
I want to shout it out loud
the voices inside my head
don’t hear a thing that you said
tell me where you can go
or what you already know
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like ne body else
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
please don’t call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like anybody else
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
that’s why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
she used to say I was a high school creature
and now my boss says I am a lost cause
sometimes things aren't what they seem
that’s why they called me a freak
yeah I don’t want to be like anybody else
that’s why they called me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
that’s why they called me a freak
I asked my therapist if there was a cure
for people scared and acting insecure
they treat me like a virus
they beat me to my knees
they treat me like a social disease
I was always away
im walking home everyday
these creeps would beat me up and take my money away
they made me feel like I'm a loser
no matter what I did
I was just your average fucked up kid
*chorus*
there is nothing worse than the sound
of the tears of the clown
when there is no one around
that’s why they call me a freak
cuz I don’t wanna live like ne body else
that’s why they called me a freak
im all alone in a crowd
I want to shout it out loud
the voices inside my head
don’t hear a thing that you said
tell me where you can go
or what you already know
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like ne body else
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
please don’t call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like anybody else
that’s why they call me a freak
yeah I don’t wanna be like everybody else
that’s why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
that's why they call me a freak
Lyrics submitted by *DeadInside*
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
sorry if the lyrics r all messed up. i cudnt understand some of the things he was saying.
good song!
Good song, but goddamnit, it's spelled "anybody." And it sounds more like "they tell me where you can go / I think you already know / that you're the one who is weak / that's why they call me a freak."
Good song...I think I'll make it my anthem...hah
god this song is great. flipp is one of the greatest underground band out there. if any of you get the chance to see them live, do it!