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.
Hey it's me what a big surprise
Calling you up from a restaurant
Around the bend
Just got in from way up North
I'm achy and tired now
And I could use a friend
I'd be a fool
To think that you do
Want to see me again
I Know it's been awhile since I talked to you
Nothing wrong
Just nothing ever goes as planned
Many times I thought I'd call
Didn't have your number in my hand
Oh, I know it's true
You'd never do
The same thing to me
I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we've lost
Bad timing that's all
And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
As just bad timing that's all
Used to have so many plans
Something always seemed to turn out wrong
Never could catch up to you
Moving on and doing all you've done
I don't know why
The harder I try
The harder it comes
I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we lost
Bad timing that's all
And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all
Calling you up from a restaurant
Around the bend
Just got in from way up North
I'm achy and tired now
And I could use a friend
I'd be a fool
To think that you do
Want to see me again
I Know it's been awhile since I talked to you
Nothing wrong
Just nothing ever goes as planned
Many times I thought I'd call
Didn't have your number in my hand
Oh, I know it's true
You'd never do
The same thing to me
I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we've lost
Bad timing that's all
And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
As just bad timing that's all
Used to have so many plans
Something always seemed to turn out wrong
Never could catch up to you
Moving on and doing all you've done
I don't know why
The harder I try
The harder it comes
I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we lost
Bad timing that's all
And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all
Lyrics submitted by Manderzterz
Bad Timing Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I don't think I agree. I feel that its about really knowing the ship has sailed,... the sense that there's no turning back at all. The narrator is fully aware that he will never be with the woman he is singing about, but he is acknowledging the still-aching and poignant memory of the love they had. You can know something will never be, but the memory of his lost love is stronger than his "knowing he shouldn't call". So beautiful.