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 city is a jungle, you'd better take care
Never walk alone after midnight
If you don't believe me, you'd better beware
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a nightmare, a horrible dream
Some of us will dream it forever
Look around the corner and try not to scream
It's me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes are glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a prison, you'll never escape
You're forever trapped in the alleys
Look into the shadows, and you'll see the shape
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes were glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
And if I meet you, what if I eat you?
I am the tiger
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger, tiger, tiger
Never walk alone after midnight
If you don't believe me, you'd better beware
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a nightmare, a horrible dream
Some of us will dream it forever
Look around the corner and try not to scream
It's me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes are glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a prison, you'll never escape
You're forever trapped in the alleys
Look into the shadows, and you'll see the shape
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes were glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
And if I meet you, what if I eat you?
I am the tiger
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger, tiger, tiger
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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Wrong and wrong, sorry. This song is about heroin. It uses metaphors, much like "Yellow" or "Hotel California". The reference to the tiger is about the drug creeping up on people; those who know heroin is bad stay away etc. Its actually quite simple when you listen to it knowing what its about. And as for people claiming that Bjorn did not know what he was writing about- thats truly an insult. He is a very astute man, extremely clever. He knew exactly what he was writing about and covered quite a number of very adult topics, cleverly disguised as bubble gum pop..
Ah yes! I see it. I knew the people saying it was a rapist were stretching. I thought it to be a more general: simply about the multiple dangers of the city, but heroin explains many of the lines. However, "never walk alone after midnight," what does that mean?
@ladyethelwinterbottom Except the nickname for heroin is brown not yellow. And it doesn't mention Hotel California.<br /> It's most likely about the dangers of night life and predators on the streets.
Have you even read their other lyrics? Erotic obession is everywhere, not heroin ????