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.
Adult, adult,
Adult
Education
Afternoon in the homeroom, they're about to let you go
And the locker slams on the plans you had tonight
You've been messing around with your boyfriend, maybe better left alone
There's a wise guy that you know who could put you right
In the lot, the boy that's idling by doesn't rev your heart
'Cause it's only lonely spots he shares with you
And the long halls and the gray walls are gonna split apart
Believe it or not there's life after high school
And that's why
The student body's got a bad reputation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What they need is adult education
You go back to school, it's a bad situation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What you want is an adult
Education
Oh yeah
The teacher don't know about how to deal with the student body
And the underclassmen are flashing hot and cool
All your girlfriends care about the watch you wear and talkin' about it
Believe it or not there's life after high school
That's why
The student body's got a bad reputation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What they need is adult education
You go back to school, is a bad situation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What you want is an adult
Education
Oh yeah
They're calling it a preparation
You're waiting for a separation
You're nothing but another odd number
Memories that you won't remember
So you got a little education
And a lot of dedication
But you want a little night school
Maybe some of it will rub off on you
The boys are busy in the mirrors
Trying to imitate their heroes
You make it with a false surrender
More memories you won't remember
The senior with the junior Miss
I wonder what the junior wishes
That she could graduate to adult
That she could graduate to adult kisses
Adult education
Adult education
Adult education it's a bad situation
Adult education
Adult, adult, educate, educate, education
Adult, adult, adult, educate, educate, education
Adult, adult
Adult
Education
Afternoon in the homeroom, they're about to let you go
And the locker slams on the plans you had tonight
You've been messing around with your boyfriend, maybe better left alone
There's a wise guy that you know who could put you right
In the lot, the boy that's idling by doesn't rev your heart
'Cause it's only lonely spots he shares with you
And the long halls and the gray walls are gonna split apart
Believe it or not there's life after high school
And that's why
The student body's got a bad reputation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What they need is adult education
You go back to school, it's a bad situation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What you want is an adult
Education
Oh yeah
The teacher don't know about how to deal with the student body
And the underclassmen are flashing hot and cool
All your girlfriends care about the watch you wear and talkin' about it
Believe it or not there's life after high school
That's why
The student body's got a bad reputation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What they need is adult education
You go back to school, is a bad situation (oh yeah, oh yeah)
What you want is an adult
Education
Oh yeah
They're calling it a preparation
You're waiting for a separation
You're nothing but another odd number
Memories that you won't remember
So you got a little education
And a lot of dedication
But you want a little night school
Maybe some of it will rub off on you
The boys are busy in the mirrors
Trying to imitate their heroes
You make it with a false surrender
More memories you won't remember
The senior with the junior Miss
I wonder what the junior wishes
That she could graduate to adult
That she could graduate to adult kisses
Adult education
Adult education
Adult education it's a bad situation
Adult education
Adult, adult, educate, educate, education
Adult, adult, adult, educate, educate, education
Adult, adult
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The song is about all the pompousness and sexual tension of high school. I think this song is trying to show that the girls and boys who act or appear to be experienced (whether sexually or otherwise, in this song sexually) are the standard, the ones who get all the admiration, but in reality they don't know jack and need an "adult education". The lyrics are a bit silly, but it just reminds me of how much life is better once high school is over.
This song makes me wish there was a way to skip over high school completely or if there is a better alternative for it. I remember wanting friends to talk to and being so damn horny all the time, but being unable to make friends or get laid. In other words, trying to earn the respect and admiration of others. And that's a hard thing for a rational human to say, I'm glad that that part of life is long over!
It doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. It's a song told from the viewpoint of an adult lecher imagining a bunch of teens fucking and thinking how much better off the young (underage) girls would be with him.
Wow, 3.5 years since the last (and only) comment on this song. This song is strangely addictive and I remember listening to it when I was about 10 years old (the year it came out). I wouldn't have understood it then, but now I do, especially seeing as how I am now almost the same age Hall & Oates were when they recorded this. :P