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.
headlights and red eyes
a warm beer between your thighs
mess of pills hollywood hills
red lights, read me my rights
goin in a circle gettin tighter every turn
think youre getting better but youre never quite sure
say its all ahead of you
how far can you see
youre living on your knees
driver please find your feet
the lights green but you spaced the keys
youre goin fast but it wont last
youre all speed and no gas
goin in a circle never getting to the point
burning up the atmosphere my rocketship boy
you say theres a finish line
youre already beat
youre livin on your knees
my only son
you look so sad
but youre so young
you get so high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
notebook, some notes you took
a big head, with a crooked hook
your best friend is you again
you cant win, but you wont give in
goin in a circle gettin lower every time
say it isnt hurting but i never see you smile
asking for the doctor and calling you a priest
youre livin on your knees rocketboy
you burn so bright
and i believe
you light so beautifully
when you get high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
dad its me again, i hate to call
could you come down, theres been an accident
with you involved
yes sir, no sir
they say im worse
got home, cried alone
a video was surely shown
no one knows i came this close
to being me, but i lost us both
goin in a circle and its keepin you around
you've been here forever but youve never been found
you didn't want a witness and i didn't want to see
you're livin on your knees rocketboy
my only son you look so sad
but youre so young
you get so high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
a warm beer between your thighs
mess of pills hollywood hills
red lights, read me my rights
goin in a circle gettin tighter every turn
think youre getting better but youre never quite sure
say its all ahead of you
how far can you see
youre living on your knees
driver please find your feet
the lights green but you spaced the keys
youre goin fast but it wont last
youre all speed and no gas
goin in a circle never getting to the point
burning up the atmosphere my rocketship boy
you say theres a finish line
youre already beat
youre livin on your knees
my only son
you look so sad
but youre so young
you get so high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
notebook, some notes you took
a big head, with a crooked hook
your best friend is you again
you cant win, but you wont give in
goin in a circle gettin lower every time
say it isnt hurting but i never see you smile
asking for the doctor and calling you a priest
youre livin on your knees rocketboy
you burn so bright
and i believe
you light so beautifully
when you get high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
dad its me again, i hate to call
could you come down, theres been an accident
with you involved
yes sir, no sir
they say im worse
got home, cried alone
a video was surely shown
no one knows i came this close
to being me, but i lost us both
goin in a circle and its keepin you around
you've been here forever but youve never been found
you didn't want a witness and i didn't want to see
you're livin on your knees rocketboy
my only son you look so sad
but youre so young
you get so high
you're all alone rocketboy
come home
Lyrics submitted by superdavey
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