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.
Did you happen to catch or did it happen so fast
What you thought would always last has passed you by
Is everything speeding up
Or am I slowing down, I'm just spinning around
And I don't know why
All the pieces don't fit
Thought I didn't give a shit
I never wanted to be like you
But for all I aspire, I am really a liar
And I'm running out of things I can do
I'd like to stay but every day
Everything pushes me farther away
If you could show, help me to know
How it's supposed to be
Where did it go?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Well okay, enough, you've had your fun
But come on there has to be someone
That hasn't yet become so numb and succumb
And god damn I am so tired of pretending
Of wishing I was ending
When all I'm really doing is trying to hide
And keep it inside and fill it with lies
Open my eyes, maybe I wish I could try
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
What you thought would always last has passed you by
Is everything speeding up
Or am I slowing down, I'm just spinning around
And I don't know why
All the pieces don't fit
Thought I didn't give a shit
I never wanted to be like you
But for all I aspire, I am really a liar
And I'm running out of things I can do
I'd like to stay but every day
Everything pushes me farther away
If you could show, help me to know
How it's supposed to be
Where did it go?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Well okay, enough, you've had your fun
But come on there has to be someone
That hasn't yet become so numb and succumb
And god damn I am so tired of pretending
Of wishing I was ending
When all I'm really doing is trying to hide
And keep it inside and fill it with lies
Open my eyes, maybe I wish I could try
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Lyrics submitted by thewhitepony33, edited by Trismagistus
Where Is Everybody? Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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What LittleUrantiaGirl said about "I'm so tired of pretending of wishing I was ending" I totally agree with, hence "there has got to be someone".