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.
You gotta take it easy
You gotta live your life
Yesterday's heroes
They are born to die
The people always blame you
It don't matter what they say
You've got your own freedom
You've gotta go your way
Get up and roll on
'Cause there is no future
And there'll be no past
Live for today
The going is going fast
Get up and roll on
Get up and go on
The going's going fast
You are
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
'Cause you're ahead
Ahead of the pack
Don't you kill the feelings
Live to your heart
You're miles away
But you know where to start
Now you've got the muscle
To knock out a lie
'Cause you're ahead of the pack
No one will spit in your eye
Get up and roll on
Get up and go on
The going's going fast
You are
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
'Cause you're ahead
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
You gotta live your life
Yesterday's heroes
They are born to die
The people always blame you
It don't matter what they say
You've got your own freedom
You've gotta go your way
Get up and roll on
'Cause there is no future
And there'll be no past
Live for today
The going is going fast
Get up and roll on
Get up and go on
The going's going fast
You are
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
'Cause you're ahead
Ahead of the pack
Don't you kill the feelings
Live to your heart
You're miles away
But you know where to start
Now you've got the muscle
To knock out a lie
'Cause you're ahead of the pack
No one will spit in your eye
Get up and roll on
Get up and go on
The going's going fast
You are
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
'Cause you're ahead
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
Never look back
Ahead of the pack
Ahead of the pack
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