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.
Since day one I've been crass and far beyond
I couldn't laugh, I couldn't cry
Before you judge me, take a look at yourself
Condescending, outliving in a lie
Despite all the pain in my heart grinding through
It ain't due that you hate what I hate what you do
Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far
A backstabbing motherfucker to the bone is what you are
And every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
You look down to me to see the scum of the earth to be
Fuck yeah, that's me, vile and obscene
I ain't happy about it but at least I don't judge and decree
To be better than another human being
Every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far
Can anyone, somebody tell me what the fuck is going on?
Every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
"Death? What do you all know about death?"
I couldn't laugh, I couldn't cry
Before you judge me, take a look at yourself
Condescending, outliving in a lie
Despite all the pain in my heart grinding through
It ain't due that you hate what I hate what you do
Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far
A backstabbing motherfucker to the bone is what you are
And every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
You look down to me to see the scum of the earth to be
Fuck yeah, that's me, vile and obscene
I ain't happy about it but at least I don't judge and decree
To be better than another human being
Every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far
Can anyone, somebody tell me what the fuck is going on?
Every day when the knife in my back starts to twinge and turn
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn
One foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven
Then again it's like being needled twenty-four seven
"Death? What do you all know about death?"
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