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.
You want to feel a little warmth
A little mercy
You want to feel like this is real
But it's so cold this time of year
And everywhere you liked to go is a reminder
Oh you can smell him in the air
But this is just being unfair
I don't care 'cause life was never meant to be painless
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Not gonna beg to be a leg of your adventure
Not gonna cry I'm gonna laugh
It's like a little game of chance
We all anticipate the elements of nature
Well yesterday was years ago
And you have nothing more to show
I don't care 'cause I was always meant to be here
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Ooh he's my prince of love
Painless
Sweet tooth of sin
I've got to say it doesn't pay being a stranger
A little distance among friends
Sure way to bring an end
And I need that like a hole in the head
Oh I need that like a hole in the head
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Ooh he's my prince of love
Painless
Sweet tooth of sin
Painless
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
A little mercy
You want to feel like this is real
But it's so cold this time of year
And everywhere you liked to go is a reminder
Oh you can smell him in the air
But this is just being unfair
I don't care 'cause life was never meant to be painless
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Not gonna beg to be a leg of your adventure
Not gonna cry I'm gonna laugh
It's like a little game of chance
We all anticipate the elements of nature
Well yesterday was years ago
And you have nothing more to show
I don't care 'cause I was always meant to be here
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Ooh he's my prince of love
Painless
Sweet tooth of sin
I've got to say it doesn't pay being a stranger
A little distance among friends
Sure way to bring an end
And I need that like a hole in the head
Oh I need that like a hole in the head
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
Ooh he's my prince of love
Painless
Sweet tooth of sin
Painless
What I would give
Painless
An adjective
Painless
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