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.
You smile at me in total defiance of all decency
You’ve got it down to science
That innocent look
You’ve got it practiced real good
But I know you’d kill me if you could stand the sight of blood
If Id a been a fly on the wall a little earlier
If I had been one of the innumerable flies in this room
If I’d a been a fly on the wall a little earlier
It woulda been real different around here
You try to speak but the buzzing's too loud
And it’s hard to make you laugh through the dense black cloud
That surrounds us both
That’s just as well
You called them up
Let the whole house go to hell
If I’d a been one of these flies
I would have lodged myself firmly underneath your eyelid
If I’d a been one of these flies a little earlier
It would have been real different around here.
You’ve got it down to science
That innocent look
You’ve got it practiced real good
But I know you’d kill me if you could stand the sight of blood
If Id a been a fly on the wall a little earlier
If I had been one of the innumerable flies in this room
If I’d a been a fly on the wall a little earlier
It woulda been real different around here
You try to speak but the buzzing's too loud
And it’s hard to make you laugh through the dense black cloud
That surrounds us both
That’s just as well
You called them up
Let the whole house go to hell
If I’d a been one of these flies
I would have lodged myself firmly underneath your eyelid
If I’d a been one of these flies a little earlier
It would have been real different around here.
Lyrics submitted by float on OK?, edited by Salvar
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