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.
I never knew why the other kids meant
To be a doctor or a lawyer or the president
All my life I aspired to be
In colour on the cover of the NME
I wanna pose pretty for the glossy mags
The weekly journals and the cheesy rags
Use my fame to blag tons of free stuff
Then whinge about how life is so tough
Chorus:
Quite frankly, I think I could do a better job of being famous
See my face in the News of the World
You can say what you like, you know I'll be shameless
Don't care I ever make millions
I just want a gossip column link to Robbie Williams
I'll have chart feuds on the six o'clock news
And spout my scandal causing political views
Even my substandard Christmas songs
Will be money churning massive chart hits
Written on the back of a Groucho Club napkin
With my mate the Turner Prize-winning artist
Chorus
I won't burn out, I won't fade away
I'll keep my drug habits on constant display
When things get harsh and they start looking grim
I'll call Betty Ford and check myself in
Buy a mansion with a thousand rooms
Join a freaky cult that preaches doom
Lecture people on the plight of the poor
Then use my wealth to generate more
Chorus
To be a doctor or a lawyer or the president
All my life I aspired to be
In colour on the cover of the NME
I wanna pose pretty for the glossy mags
The weekly journals and the cheesy rags
Use my fame to blag tons of free stuff
Then whinge about how life is so tough
Chorus:
Quite frankly, I think I could do a better job of being famous
See my face in the News of the World
You can say what you like, you know I'll be shameless
Don't care I ever make millions
I just want a gossip column link to Robbie Williams
I'll have chart feuds on the six o'clock news
And spout my scandal causing political views
Even my substandard Christmas songs
Will be money churning massive chart hits
Written on the back of a Groucho Club napkin
With my mate the Turner Prize-winning artist
Chorus
I won't burn out, I won't fade away
I'll keep my drug habits on constant display
When things get harsh and they start looking grim
I'll call Betty Ford and check myself in
Buy a mansion with a thousand rooms
Join a freaky cult that preaches doom
Lecture people on the plight of the poor
Then use my wealth to generate more
Chorus
Lyrics submitted by soundgoround
Quite Frankly I Think I Could Do A Better Job Of Being Famous song meanings
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