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.
Sittin' here in my problem
What am I gonna do now?
Am I gonna make it?
Someway, somehow
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way I feel
That will be all right, that will be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Climbin' out the window
Climbin' up the wall
Is anybody gonna save me
Or are they gonna let me fall?
I don't really want to know
I'll just hold on the best I can
And if I fall down, I'll just get back up
It'll be alright, it'll be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way I feel
That will be all right, that will be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world, better place
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world, better place
I'm gonna make myself a better man
What am I gonna do now?
Am I gonna make it?
Someway, somehow
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way I feel
That will be all right, that will be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Climbin' out the window
Climbin' up the wall
Is anybody gonna save me
Or are they gonna let me fall?
I don't really want to know
I'll just hold on the best I can
And if I fall down, I'll just get back up
It'll be alright, it'll be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Maybe I'm not supposed to know
Maybe I'm supposed to cry
And if nobody ever knows the way I feel
That will be all right, that will be okay
'Cause I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world a better place
I'm gonna keep that smile up on my face
I'm gonna teach myself how to understand
I'm gonna make myself a better man
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world, better place
Yeah, I'm gonna make this world, better place
I'm gonna make myself a better man
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