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.
Thoughts pass by like a river flow
Must be hard to keep track where you came from
I float down and stand right next to you
But something is causing a lull in the traffic
The empire is moving, the grass overgrown
I'd blow this whole world to pieces to not be alone
The shovel's been digging all day long
It can't even seem to make a scratch
A scratch in the surface what is the purpose?
I'll always be stopped by the
"why can't i, why can't i be you?"
and put those hands away
I go through this everyday...
Sounds like a radio tuned to whitenoise softer, slowly softer
Can't this thing go any faster?
For everyone to see, it's only killing me
Awake in this cold cell I, I just hope you're happy
Awake in this cold cell I break my body against the wall
Awake in this cold cell... I am my only devil
Why can't I be you and put those hands away
I go through this everyday
Sounds like a radio tuned to whitenoise softer, slowly softer
Can't this thing go any faster?
For everyone to see, it's only killing me
Must be hard to keep track where you came from
I float down and stand right next to you
But something is causing a lull in the traffic
The empire is moving, the grass overgrown
I'd blow this whole world to pieces to not be alone
The shovel's been digging all day long
It can't even seem to make a scratch
A scratch in the surface what is the purpose?
I'll always be stopped by the
"why can't i, why can't i be you?"
and put those hands away
I go through this everyday...
Sounds like a radio tuned to whitenoise softer, slowly softer
Can't this thing go any faster?
For everyone to see, it's only killing me
Awake in this cold cell I, I just hope you're happy
Awake in this cold cell I break my body against the wall
Awake in this cold cell... I am my only devil
Why can't I be you and put those hands away
I go through this everyday
Sounds like a radio tuned to whitenoise softer, slowly softer
Can't this thing go any faster?
For everyone to see, it's only killing me
Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28
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i always thought this song was about having to live up to what someone before you had done( "I'll always be stopped by the why can't i, why can't i be you") and not being able to do it ("digging all day long/ can't even seem to make a scratch") but in the end realizing that they weren't the expectations of others, but your own expectations ("I am my only devil").