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 need an alarm system in my house
So I know when people are creepin' about
These people are freakin' me out (these days)
It's getting hectic everywhere that I go
They won't leave me alone
There's things they all want to know
I'm paranoid of all the people I meet
Why are they talking to me?
And why can't anyone see?
I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me
I just want to live
I rock a law suit when I'm goin' to court
A white suit when I'm getting divorced
A black suit at the funeral home
And my birthday suit when I'm home alone
Talking on the phone
Got an interview with the Rolling Stone
They're saying, â??Now you're rich, now you're famousâ??
Fake ass girls all know your name and
Lifestyles of the rich and the famous
Your first hit aren't you ashamed
Of the life, of the life, of the life
We're living
I just want to live I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me
I just want to live
Stop your messing around boy
Better think of your future
Better make some good plans boy
Said everyone of our teachers
Look out, you better play it safe
Never know what hard times will come your way
We say, where we're comin' from
We've already seen the worst that this life can bring
Now we expect it everywhere that we go
All the things that they say
Yeah we already know
I just want to live
I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me I just want to live
So I know when people are creepin' about
These people are freakin' me out (these days)
It's getting hectic everywhere that I go
They won't leave me alone
There's things they all want to know
I'm paranoid of all the people I meet
Why are they talking to me?
And why can't anyone see?
I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me
I just want to live
I rock a law suit when I'm goin' to court
A white suit when I'm getting divorced
A black suit at the funeral home
And my birthday suit when I'm home alone
Talking on the phone
Got an interview with the Rolling Stone
They're saying, â??Now you're rich, now you're famousâ??
Fake ass girls all know your name and
Lifestyles of the rich and the famous
Your first hit aren't you ashamed
Of the life, of the life, of the life
We're living
I just want to live I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me
I just want to live
Stop your messing around boy
Better think of your future
Better make some good plans boy
Said everyone of our teachers
Look out, you better play it safe
Never know what hard times will come your way
We say, where we're comin' from
We've already seen the worst that this life can bring
Now we expect it everywhere that we go
All the things that they say
Yeah we already know
I just want to live
I just want to live
Don't really care about the things that they say
Don't really care about what happens to me I just want to live
Lyrics submitted by PnkRckPrncss, edited by kianasibun
I Just Wanna Live Lyrics as written by Joel Madden Benji Madden
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I'm rather ashamed of the Good Charlotte fans. Easily every comment on this song is the same: 'this song is straight forward, it's about them being famous and not liking it, blahblahblah.'
I'd expect fans to be a little more observant and dig a little deeper in lyrics, not just take the words and interpret them according to what a music video tells them or what they hear at first.
This song is a joke. Most of this song is a play on words. It's not supposed to be taken literally. Good Charlotte don't deny that they are now mainstream and famous but a band like this relishes the attention and really appreciates the fanbase (no matter how many groupies and mall rats listen to this). This song is just like 'lifestyles' and it's poking fun at the situation Good Charlotte have found themselves in. They don't deny that they're famous and that they're mainstream and that they are making a shitload of cash, but this whole song isn't a complaint, it's actually the opposite. They're not sick of being followed, they're not messing around with their future because they have everything they need to live the next twenty years of their lives comfortably.
They just want to live it out and they don't care what the industry of the world dishes out, it's not enough to dent their paychecks, not even close to enough to kill their reputation.
I'm not even a Good Charlotte fan, but it's disappointing how many people don't truly appreciate something they claim to enjoy, claim to connect with, and pay so much attention to.