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.
7 a.m.
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
The garbage truck beeps as it backs up
And I start my day thinking about what I've thrown away
Could I push rewind?
The credits traverse signifying the end
But I missed the best part, could we please go back to start?
Forgive my indecision
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, babe
11 a.m.
By now you would think that I would be up
But my bed sheets shade the heat of choices I've made
And what did I find?
I never thought I could want someone so much
'Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear
Forgive my indecision
I am only a man
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, a day will come when I want off that ride, baby
12 p.m. and my dusty telephone rings
Heavy head up from my pillow, who could it be?
I hope it's you
It's you
Oh, oh-oh-oh
Then again, then again
Then again, you're always first when no one's on your side
But then again, then again, again, again
Then again, the day has come and I want off that ride, babe
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i absolutely love the first 3 lines of this song..it's very poetic as it alludes to the literal (throwing away trash) and metaphoric (throwing away what was of a relationship). however, i'd have to disagree with everyone in the part that the girl is the one leaving him. i think he is the one doing the leaving and coming back. it appears he's at that point again where he wants her back and he's contemplating "what have i done?!" as it is apparent in the lines "I never thought I could want someone so much, Cause now you're not here and I'm knee deep in that old fear ,Forgive my indecision ,I am only a man"...he's scared to be alone.
@PumpkinGurl I have no idea why everyone else isn't as receptive as you and I are. How obvious could this song be? I was in college when this came out. I didn't realize how amazing '11am' was until an embarrassing amount of years later. Better late than never.