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.
Pull the final splinters
Of missing picture winters
You have to give yourself a break
What's the fascination
With lovers at the station
You have to tear yourself away
The dream again nobody understands
Walking through the long grass on your hands
It's not a job to do today
Sleep it off
Words to make her stay: you said
Leave me and the plants die
A panic smile across your face
Corrugated brow line
The hissing bitter punchline
Call when you can tie your lace
You rule my world my brother
You rule my world compare
Of missing picture winters
You have to give yourself a break
What's the fascination
With lovers at the station
You have to tear yourself away
The dream again nobody understands
Walking through the long grass on your hands
It's not a job to do today
Sleep it off
Words to make her stay: you said
Leave me and the plants die
A panic smile across your face
Corrugated brow line
The hissing bitter punchline
Call when you can tie your lace
You rule my world my brother
You rule my world compare
Lyrics submitted by bloodflower, edited by Sneaker201
Not a Job Lyrics as written by Guy Edward John Garvey Craig Lee Potter
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I have officially lost my copy of this album, had to buy it off of iTunes so I could go straight to this song for this very moment: "A panic smile across your face Corrugated browline The hissing bitter punchline Call when you can tie your lace" what a beautiful picture of desperation and the heart breaking exploitation of someone's vulnerability. All in 4 lines. Genius. Loved Wembley too.