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.
an oil painted portrait
of still life
a moving image
with patience
just lie still
a chemical illusion
break it down
a moment fallen to pieces
fallen down
some things do last forever
I won't go
chorus
I want to live in a magazine
I want to go in cheap
and come out clean
I want to live in a magazine
I want to be obscure
with a girl obscene
irresistable canvas
rayon eyes
imaginary invention
can you tell
unbelievable likeness
get closer
a candy coated solution
smells like film
some things do last forever
I won't go
chorus
don't try to take me down 'cause you know I
won't go
I don't give a damn about it anymore
I won't go
a sentimental position
hold that thought
an emotional gesture
let it go
an enamel persona
residue
a scientific religion
break it down
some things do
last forever
won't go
chorus
of still life
a moving image
with patience
just lie still
a chemical illusion
break it down
a moment fallen to pieces
fallen down
some things do last forever
I won't go
chorus
I want to live in a magazine
I want to go in cheap
and come out clean
I want to live in a magazine
I want to be obscure
with a girl obscene
irresistable canvas
rayon eyes
imaginary invention
can you tell
unbelievable likeness
get closer
a candy coated solution
smells like film
some things do last forever
I won't go
chorus
don't try to take me down 'cause you know I
won't go
I don't give a damn about it anymore
I won't go
a sentimental position
hold that thought
an emotional gesture
let it go
an enamel persona
residue
a scientific religion
break it down
some things do
last forever
won't go
chorus
Lyrics submitted by belle1313
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this song is also called Come Out Clean
Just "Come out Clean" actually. People thought it was called Magazine because this song infuenced the name of the album it was first recorded in "Magazine"
to clarify: originally, the song was entitled "Magazine" BEFORE the album Magazine was released. they introduced it as "Magazine" in concerts. then, when the CD was released, they decided they wanted to call the album Magazine because 4 or 5 songs on the on the CD mention or talk about Magazines, and it seemed appropriate, but they didn't want the entire CD's focus to be that one song, so they changed the name of the song to "Come Out Clean."