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.
The stage was set again
And I still didn't notice exactly what was going on there
Did I hear you say something?
Or was it another childish innuendo?
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
I've been locked-out before
But now your welcome mat has been pulled from beneath my feet
Will I still be getting my turns?
Now I know I should have made my move some time ago
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
I'll just mope around for awhile
Because it's all that I can do
The hardest part of making my mistakes
I always rub them in my face
What have I done?
I hope you'll never known
Why would you care anyway?
Do you still talk about me?
I know it sounds so silly, but it means so much to me
Do you still talk about me?
Another face in your audience
is what I hoped I'd never be
Will I still be getting my turns?
Now I know I should have made my move some time ago
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
And I still didn't notice exactly what was going on there
Did I hear you say something?
Or was it another childish innuendo?
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
I've been locked-out before
But now your welcome mat has been pulled from beneath my feet
Will I still be getting my turns?
Now I know I should have made my move some time ago
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
I'll just mope around for awhile
Because it's all that I can do
The hardest part of making my mistakes
I always rub them in my face
What have I done?
I hope you'll never known
Why would you care anyway?
Do you still talk about me?
I know it sounds so silly, but it means so much to me
Do you still talk about me?
Another face in your audience
is what I hoped I'd never be
Will I still be getting my turns?
Now I know I should have made my move some time ago
I chose to be alone
Now I can't complain
Lyrics submitted by SantanicoPandemonium, edited by Copperstock
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From personal experience, it sounds like the character in this song is or has been infatuated with a really self-absorbed girl, someone basically pretty insecure who craves a lot of attention especially from guys. "Will I still be getting my turn?... another face in your audience, is what I hoped I'd never be". Another facet of the story is his inability to be upfront about his feelings, and the girl has obviously gotten tired of waiting for him to make the first move: "now I know I should have made my move some time ago... I've been locked out before, but now your welcome mat has been pulled from beneath my feet". He realizes it is his own indecision that has left him in this position: "I chose to be alone, now I can't complain... I'll just mope around for a while, cause it's all that I can do". He is also really insecure and hard on himself about it: "The hardest part of making my mistakes, I always rub them in my face... I hope you'll never know, why would you care anyway?" I think the meaning of this song is about two people with issues, and how they both let their insecurities cause a lack of communication and get in the way of their relationships.