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.
I guess that now it's time for me to give up
I feel it's time
Got a picture of you beside me
Got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup
Oh, yeah
Got a fist of pure emotion
Got a head of shattered dreams
Gotta leave it, gotta leave it all behind now
Whatever I said, whatever I did
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back, want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Unaware but underlined
I figured out this story (oh, no)
It wasn't good (no, no)
But in the corner of my mind (corner of my mind)
I celebrated glory
But that was not to be
In the twist of separation you excelled at being free
Can't you find a little room inside for me (can't you find, for me)
Whatever I said, whatever I did (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
And we'll be together, this time is forever (forever, girl)
We'll be fighting and forever we will be
So complete in our love
We will never be uncovered again
Whatever I said, whatever I did (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back, want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
See, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
(Whatever I said, whatever I did) whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you
(I didn't mean it)
(I just want you back)
I want you back, want you back (want you back, want you back)
See, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
(Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song) whenever I'm wrong I'll tell you
(And I'll sing it)
(You'll be right and understood)
I want you back, want you back (want you back, want you back)
You see, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Oh, yeah
I guess that now it's time she came back for good, yeah
I feel it's time
Got a picture of you beside me
Got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup
Oh, yeah
Got a fist of pure emotion
Got a head of shattered dreams
Gotta leave it, gotta leave it all behind now
Whatever I said, whatever I did
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back, want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Unaware but underlined
I figured out this story (oh, no)
It wasn't good (no, no)
But in the corner of my mind (corner of my mind)
I celebrated glory
But that was not to be
In the twist of separation you excelled at being free
Can't you find a little room inside for me (can't you find, for me)
Whatever I said, whatever I did (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
I want you back for good (want you back for good)
And we'll be together, this time is forever (forever, girl)
We'll be fighting and forever we will be
So complete in our love
We will never be uncovered again
Whatever I said, whatever I did (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good
(Want you back, want you back, want you back for good)
Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song (whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you)
And I'll sing it
You'll be right and understood
(Want you back, want you back)
See, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
(Whatever I said, whatever I did) whenever I'm wrong, I'll tell you
(I didn't mean it)
(I just want you back)
I want you back, want you back (want you back, want you back)
See, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
(Whenever I'm wrong, just tell me the song) whenever I'm wrong I'll tell you
(And I'll sing it)
(You'll be right and understood)
I want you back, want you back (want you back, want you back)
You see, I want you back for good (want you back for good)
Oh, yeah
I guess that now it's time she came back for good, yeah
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