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.
Sittin' on your ass all day
Thinkin' bout your hangover and the par-tay
You left your fuckin' keys at
And had to beg for a
Ride from a stranger that I never met before
He acted so friendly that I had to take the ride
But for some reason he resembled that guy
Wanted for a robbery
And beatin' on his kid
"You remind me of my stepson"
He chuckled with a grin
What was that move
That they taught in self-defense
You block the killer's knife
Move with some confidence
The signal when you're trapped inside a moving car I wonder if he'll drive real far
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
I wonder what'll happen today
Rub your eyes from
No sleep this week
Tap your heels home
Then fall asleep
Sittin' 'round looking for a fight
Kinda' pissed off how I'm turnin' my life
Up-side down from insecure insecurities
Makin' up my mind through old hypocrisy
Up and out of harms way
Down cause I want to be there
Here because you want me
Not because you're caught in my stare
What was that move
That they taught in self-defense
You block the killer's knife
Move with some confidence
The signal when you're trapped inside a moving car
I wonder if he'll drive real far
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
I wonder what'll happen today
Rub your eyes from
No sleep this week
Tap your heels home
Then fall asleep
Alseep in me
There is something wrong instead
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
Thinkin' bout your hangover and the par-tay
You left your fuckin' keys at
And had to beg for a
Ride from a stranger that I never met before
He acted so friendly that I had to take the ride
But for some reason he resembled that guy
Wanted for a robbery
And beatin' on his kid
"You remind me of my stepson"
He chuckled with a grin
What was that move
That they taught in self-defense
You block the killer's knife
Move with some confidence
The signal when you're trapped inside a moving car I wonder if he'll drive real far
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
I wonder what'll happen today
Rub your eyes from
No sleep this week
Tap your heels home
Then fall asleep
Sittin' 'round looking for a fight
Kinda' pissed off how I'm turnin' my life
Up-side down from insecure insecurities
Makin' up my mind through old hypocrisy
Up and out of harms way
Down cause I want to be there
Here because you want me
Not because you're caught in my stare
What was that move
That they taught in self-defense
You block the killer's knife
Move with some confidence
The signal when you're trapped inside a moving car
I wonder if he'll drive real far
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
I wonder what'll happen today
Rub your eyes from
No sleep this week
Tap your heels home
Then fall asleep
Alseep in me
There is something wrong instead
What a day, What a day
Should've stayed home shootin' the breeze all day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
You should think next time
Before you start to play
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
What a day, What a day
Lyrics submitted by thewhitepony33
What a Day Lyrics as written by Elias P. Soriano Andrew Jason Goldman
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
normally i do just jam to this song, but today i totally relate to it. what a day i tell you, got shot down by a girl then embarass myself in 5th period in front of whole class(not explaining how), then i come home and my horse is dead. what a fucking day. true story.