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.
The mongrel cat came home
Holding half a head
Proceeded to show it off
To all his new-found friends
He said, "I been where I liked
I slept with who I like
She ate me up for breakfast
She screwed me in a vice"
But now I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
My thoughts are misguided and a little naïve
And I twitch and I salivate like with myxomatosis
You should put me in a home or you should put me down
I got myxomatosis
I got myxomatosis
Yeah, no one likes a smart ass but we all like stars
That wasn't my intention! I did it for a reason!
He shook hands with the cripples
And gave them all milk
He did a few card tricks
For his mafia geeks
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
Holding half a head
Proceeded to show it off
To all his new-found friends
He said, "I been where I liked
I slept with who I like
She ate me up for breakfast
She screwed me in a vice"
But now I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
My thoughts are misguided and a little naïve
And I twitch and I salivate like with myxomatosis
You should put me in a home or you should put me down
I got myxomatosis
I got myxomatosis
Yeah, no one likes a smart ass but we all like stars
That wasn't my intention! I did it for a reason!
He shook hands with the cripples
And gave them all milk
He did a few card tricks
For his mafia geeks
I don't know why I feel so tongue-tied
Don't know why I feel so skinned alive
Lyrics submitted by boss_2k
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What is the point of submitting lyrics for a remix?
one of the stanzas from the album version is ommitted, alternate ending for the chorus is added in, etc.
i think one of the best things about this remix is its hollowness, which really centers on Thom's vocal subtleties. Get the Com Lag EP for more info.
It's "He shook hands with the cripples And gave them all milk He did a few card tricks For his mafia geeks"
Not "yeah his hands went like cripples' and he came home ill his death-fearing concious was nothing that kicks were not"
Sounds like myxomatosis got edited, fucked up.
the sample at the very end of the song sounds very much like one used on The Eraser, in fact I think it might be the exact same one
and I love the way Thom sings 'mafia geeks' hehehe
she gave me up for breakfast... great remix.