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.
Jackie, you yourself said it best when you said
"There's been a break in the continuum
The United States used to be lots of fun"
Back when the man and the myth
Of the sands and the cliffs
Composed a symphony to good works and better business
Jackie, you yourself said it best when you said
"One day we'll look upon a washed up Atlantic
Get our kicks on an ocean of antics"
And making history has never been so easy
So visualize success, but don't believe your eyes
There's a world of wisdom and pain to despise
When people get paid just to set you straight at me
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Visualize success!
Visualize success!
Visualize success, but don't believe your eyes
What's a version of the world without the will to despise it?
When people get paid just to set you straight it means
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie
"There's been a break in the continuum
The United States used to be lots of fun"
Back when the man and the myth
Of the sands and the cliffs
Composed a symphony to good works and better business
Jackie, you yourself said it best when you said
"One day we'll look upon a washed up Atlantic
Get our kicks on an ocean of antics"
And making history has never been so easy
So visualize success, but don't believe your eyes
There's a world of wisdom and pain to despise
When people get paid just to set you straight at me
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Are you gonna start the sunshine?
Visualize success!
Visualize success!
Visualize success, but don't believe your eyes
What's a version of the world without the will to despise it?
When people get paid just to set you straight it means
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie, hey, hey, hey, hey
Jackie
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