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'm fifteen for a moment
Caught in between ten and twenty
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm twenty-two for a moment
And she feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
I'm thirty-three for a moment
I'm still the man, but you see I'm of age
A kid on the way, babe
A family on my mind
I'm forty-five for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm headin' into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
Fifteen, I'm alright with you
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
Sixty-seven is gone
The sun is gettin' high
We're movin' on
I'm ninety-nine for a moment
And dyin' for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Twenty-two, I feel her too
Thirty-three, you're on your way
Every day's a new day
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Caught in between ten and twenty
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm twenty-two for a moment
And she feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
I'm thirty-three for a moment
I'm still the man, but you see I'm of age
A kid on the way, babe
A family on my mind
I'm forty-five for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm headin' into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
Fifteen, I'm alright with you
Fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Half time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
Sixty-seven is gone
The sun is gettin' high
We're movin' on
I'm ninety-nine for a moment
And dyin' for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Twenty-two, I feel her too
Thirty-three, you're on your way
Every day's a new day
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Fifteen, there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey fifteen, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Lyrics submitted by breezybay11, edited by Tipxx, Goos0, MargoulisseSun, burkhartrl
100 Years Lyrics as written by John Ondrasik
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this is a cool song. i usually like things a little more in your face than this. but whatever. i had to listen to is a few times before it sunk in. and it makes me wonder.. if 15 is supposed to be so fabulous.. then how messed up will i be at 25?
I don't think its saying that 15 is fabulous.<br /> <br /> This song came out when I was fifteen and I feel like the second line "caught in between ten and twenty" is so often ignored. Fifteen is a shitty year when you want so badly to be an adult and be independent but you're too young and yet too old for the innocence of being a child again. I don't know anyone who would willing to be fifteen again. But I can only imagine that as you age the pettiness of being fifteen seems silly and carefree because as crappy as fifteen was, life was still simple. As I grow, I'm in my twenties now, I think back to my issues at fifteen and it was simpler. I didn't have to worry about bills or rent. But at fifteen I wasn't able to pick and choose how I wanted to live my life. I don't have curfew, I can drive when and where I want (gas money permitting). I can now have meaningful intelligent conversations with my parents and not be screaming "you don't understand me, you're just trying to control my life!"<br /> <br /> To me this song is telling me to find the joy in every stage of life because no age is better than another. Today offers so much and you lose a bit of that if you're too focused on the past or the future.
wow thankyou so much lovelyleah, i know this comment is old, but you really opened my eyes. you were spot on. thanks.