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.
Walking along beneath the lights of that miracle mile
Me and Mary making our way into the night
You can hear the cries from the carnival rides
The pinball bells, and the skee ball slides
Watching the summer sun fall out of sight
There's a warm wind coming in from off of the ocean
Making it's way past the hotel walls to fill the street
Mary is holding both of her shoes in her hand
Said she likes to feel the sand beneath her feet
And in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
There's a local band playing at the seaside pavilion
And I got just enough cash to get us in
And as we are dancing, Mary's wrapping her arms around me
And I can feel the sting of summer on my skin
In the midst of the music
I tell her I love her
And we both laugh, 'cause we know it isn't true
Oh, but Mary, there's a summer drawing to an end tonight
And there's so much that I long to do to you
But in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Ooh
And in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Mary, I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Ooh
Ooh
In the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
Hey, I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Me and Mary making our way into the night
You can hear the cries from the carnival rides
The pinball bells, and the skee ball slides
Watching the summer sun fall out of sight
There's a warm wind coming in from off of the ocean
Making it's way past the hotel walls to fill the street
Mary is holding both of her shoes in her hand
Said she likes to feel the sand beneath her feet
And in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
There's a local band playing at the seaside pavilion
And I got just enough cash to get us in
And as we are dancing, Mary's wrapping her arms around me
And I can feel the sting of summer on my skin
In the midst of the music
I tell her I love her
And we both laugh, 'cause we know it isn't true
Oh, but Mary, there's a summer drawing to an end tonight
And there's so much that I long to do to you
But in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Ooh
And in the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
And I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Mary, I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Ooh
Ooh
In the morning I'm leaving, making my way back to Cleveland
So tonight I hope that I will do just fine
Hey, I don't see how you could ever be
Anything but mine
Lyrics submitted by indefeat, edited by hawggolfer, FootrotFlats97
Anything But Mine Lyrics as written by Scooter Carusoe
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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At some points, I really don't understand this song. It does sound like a summer romance and very important and intimate. The (supposed) guy singing says that he hopes he does "just fine", whether that's sex or just saying good-bye, but if that's true, why does he tell her he loves her and they both "just laugh because it isn't true?" Apparently, it must really have been a sex/animal thing. I do love the song, though; it has a soothing effect on me, like even though they're saying good-bye, they know everything will still be okay.