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 remember when it all first began
We were tight right from the start
It wasn't long before you came on strong
Trying hard to win my heart (trying to win it)
I played hard to get but I couldn't help
I gave up my ironing
You were thoughtful
Careful not to hurt the relationship
What happened to those days when
You used to be compassionate
Caring what I thought and said
So attentive gentleman
Now it's hard to turn your head away from the TV set
Taking me for granted lately
Frankly, it's gotta quit
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about I say
I'm feeling underappreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
Back to the beginning, to the very beginning
When our love was something new
Back when romance was important
Not just another thing to do
I was feeling high on love tonight
Thought I never come back down
Now it seems that you and me
Have lost our solid ground
Half the time I realize
I seem to give more than I get
Funny how things seem to change
After a few years commitment
Used to talk for hours on end
'Bout our dreams while we lay in bed
How I missed those days when you stayed awake
Now you roll over and snore instead
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about, I say
I'm feeling under appreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I miss those nice massages
The long for closeness
The way you talk
How it turned me on
The thoughtfulness and the sweetest lips
I needed those days back
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about I say
I'm feeling under appreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
We were tight right from the start
It wasn't long before you came on strong
Trying hard to win my heart (trying to win it)
I played hard to get but I couldn't help
I gave up my ironing
You were thoughtful
Careful not to hurt the relationship
What happened to those days when
You used to be compassionate
Caring what I thought and said
So attentive gentleman
Now it's hard to turn your head away from the TV set
Taking me for granted lately
Frankly, it's gotta quit
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about I say
I'm feeling underappreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
Back to the beginning, to the very beginning
When our love was something new
Back when romance was important
Not just another thing to do
I was feeling high on love tonight
Thought I never come back down
Now it seems that you and me
Have lost our solid ground
Half the time I realize
I seem to give more than I get
Funny how things seem to change
After a few years commitment
Used to talk for hours on end
'Bout our dreams while we lay in bed
How I missed those days when you stayed awake
Now you roll over and snore instead
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about, I say
I'm feeling under appreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I miss those nice massages
The long for closeness
The way you talk
How it turned me on
The thoughtfulness and the sweetest lips
I needed those days back
I feel under appreciated
Now girls help me out
'Cause you know what I'm talking about I say
I'm feeling under appreciated
For all the time and effort I have put in this commitment
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I love this one, I think it's "underappreciated" in Stripped as well. It talks about the changes in a partner, how at first they would do anything to try to get us, but once they have us they start to take us for granted, maybe choosing the tv instead of us. It's quite touching if you think about it and "if you know what she's talking about..."