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.
Nice guys finish last
You're running out of gas
Your sympathy will get you left behind
Sometimes you're at your best
When you feel the worst
You feel washed up like piss gone down the drain
Pressure cooker pick my brain and tell me I'm insane
I'm so fucking happy I could cry
Every joke can have its truth but now the joke's on you
I never knew you're such a funny guy
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Living on command
You're shaking lots of hands
You're kissing up and bleeding all your trust
Taking what you need
Bite the hand that feeds
You'll lose your memory and you've got no shame
Pressure cooker pick my brain and tell me I'm insane
I'm so fucking happy I could cry
Every joke can have its truth but now the joke's on you
I never knew you're such a funny guy
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
You're running out of gas
Your sympathy will get you left behind
Sometimes you're at your best
When you feel the worst
You feel washed up like piss gone down the drain
Pressure cooker pick my brain and tell me I'm insane
I'm so fucking happy I could cry
Every joke can have its truth but now the joke's on you
I never knew you're such a funny guy
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Living on command
You're shaking lots of hands
You're kissing up and bleeding all your trust
Taking what you need
Bite the hand that feeds
You'll lose your memory and you've got no shame
Pressure cooker pick my brain and tell me I'm insane
I'm so fucking happy I could cry
Every joke can have its truth but now the joke's on you
I never knew you're such a funny guy
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
Oh, nice guys finish last
When you are the outcast
Don't pat yourself on the back
You might break your spine
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Those of you making who are comments about how girls suck because they won't date you need to shut the fuck up. You're not a nice guy, and I really don't think you should consider this song your anthem in any way because it is, in fact, making fun of you. I agree with scorpyx when he/she says that this song seems to be condemning the "nice guy" stereotype that a lot of you are emulating. Ever heard of Nice Guy Syndrome? It's not a good thing.
*Those of you who are making
This is the most accurate thing in the comments section.