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.
Fourth floor room
Each girl I've brought back home to bloom
All fold on close inspection
Each one leaves
A banner hanging from the eaves
Marking the eve of election
Ex-girl collection
Why?
Into, why not?
Into, what else you got?
It's just how men mark time
Ann slams in
Another lightning round begins
This could get interesting
Where's Ann been?
She pours herself a don't-ask gin
No ice and light on the bitters
I'm done with quitters
"Why? Charles, I found out
Wipe that smile off your mouth
I think it's tell-me time"
Britt hit hard
She found my box of Beth's best cards
Hand cut and signed with 'X's
Called at work
"Happy anniversary, jerk"
And I just laughed at the timing
With you on line two still crying
"Why play sex on the cuff
Does Beth like it rough?
And learn your dirty lines?
And keep her hair cropped
(The other shoe dropped)
Is this how men mark time in couples?"
She cursed
(This sounds so rehearsed)
As Ann, hand on hip, accusing me to the rafters
The words turn and spit
And scorch right through to the plaster
I'm called ten kinds of a bastard
Curses come faster
Ann stands down
I think she thinks there's still some ground
to run maneuvers on but
Ann so smart
you couldn't even guess Beth's part
she said, "Beth must find you daring
I'm long past caring."
Why?
Into, why not?
Into, what else you got?
Into, Charles gone to pot
In hotter water
Line up to lift up a toast
To the ones I hurt most
And how the well's gone lime
With Charles on the plow
Roger, over and out
Slower how men mark time
Fine
Why?
What else you got?
Each girl I've brought back home to bloom
All fold on close inspection
Each one leaves
A banner hanging from the eaves
Marking the eve of election
Ex-girl collection
Why?
Into, why not?
Into, what else you got?
It's just how men mark time
Ann slams in
Another lightning round begins
This could get interesting
Where's Ann been?
She pours herself a don't-ask gin
No ice and light on the bitters
I'm done with quitters
"Why? Charles, I found out
Wipe that smile off your mouth
I think it's tell-me time"
Britt hit hard
She found my box of Beth's best cards
Hand cut and signed with 'X's
Called at work
"Happy anniversary, jerk"
And I just laughed at the timing
With you on line two still crying
"Why play sex on the cuff
Does Beth like it rough?
And learn your dirty lines?
And keep her hair cropped
(The other shoe dropped)
Is this how men mark time in couples?"
She cursed
(This sounds so rehearsed)
As Ann, hand on hip, accusing me to the rafters
The words turn and spit
And scorch right through to the plaster
I'm called ten kinds of a bastard
Curses come faster
Ann stands down
I think she thinks there's still some ground
to run maneuvers on but
Ann so smart
you couldn't even guess Beth's part
she said, "Beth must find you daring
I'm long past caring."
Why?
Into, why not?
Into, what else you got?
Into, Charles gone to pot
In hotter water
Line up to lift up a toast
To the ones I hurt most
And how the well's gone lime
With Charles on the plow
Roger, over and out
Slower how men mark time
Fine
Why?
What else you got?
Lyrics submitted by SweetestSiren, edited by MicePizza
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jwbrockman, if you were talking about the 2/26 show at The Gargoyle, I was there too...Awesome show, but this is the one song I really wanted to hear that they didn't play...It was still incredible though