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.
Submit and reveal
What you hide and conceal
Open up and enable
Put your cards on the table
Conquer and define
Your life is on the line
Roll up and black out
No time to hesitate and doubt
Take what you've been given
Make your stand
Cause the life that you're living
May soon come to an end
Chorus #1:
"Do what you can
What you want
What you must
Feel the hunger inside
Hold on to your trust"
Confess and purge
Experience every urge
Approach and acheive
Strengthen your belief
Admit and defend
Your emotions cause they send
Out the message that is you
And that's the only thing that's true
Chorus #1
Chorus #2:
"Do what you can
What you want
What you must
Feel the hunger inside
Don't lose your trust"
Safe and secure
Never be too sure
Show and tell
Until you go to hell
Love and hate
You're destined by fate
Play and work
Enjoy your time on earth
Chorus #1
Only death is eternal
Make no mistake
What it all comes down to
Night shall overtake
Chorus #1
Chorus #2
Do what you can
(You're a beautiful child)
Do what you want
(From a beautiful land)
Do what you can
(You left a curse on me)
Do what you want
(Could you live without me?)
Do what you can
(Just one way)
Do what you want
(One last kiss)
Do what you must
(Give me the bullet)
Don't lose your trust
What you hide and conceal
Open up and enable
Put your cards on the table
Conquer and define
Your life is on the line
Roll up and black out
No time to hesitate and doubt
Take what you've been given
Make your stand
Cause the life that you're living
May soon come to an end
Chorus #1:
"Do what you can
What you want
What you must
Feel the hunger inside
Hold on to your trust"
Confess and purge
Experience every urge
Approach and acheive
Strengthen your belief
Admit and defend
Your emotions cause they send
Out the message that is you
And that's the only thing that's true
Chorus #1
Chorus #2:
"Do what you can
What you want
What you must
Feel the hunger inside
Don't lose your trust"
Safe and secure
Never be too sure
Show and tell
Until you go to hell
Love and hate
You're destined by fate
Play and work
Enjoy your time on earth
Chorus #1
Only death is eternal
Make no mistake
What it all comes down to
Night shall overtake
Chorus #1
Chorus #2
Do what you can
(You're a beautiful child)
Do what you want
(From a beautiful land)
Do what you can
(You left a curse on me)
Do what you want
(Could you live without me?)
Do what you can
(Just one way)
Do what you want
(One last kiss)
Do what you must
(Give me the bullet)
Don't lose your trust
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Basically every line is a command. "Admit and defend your emotions 'cause they send out the message that is you and that's the only thing that's true" is an interesting line. I dunno, the song sounds like it's suggesting to just go with your instinct/feeling.