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 were right
I was battling you, trying to prove myself
I tried to bury you with guilt; I wanted to prove you wrong
I've got nothing better to do than pay too much attention to you
It's sad, but it's not your fault
Self-righteous and rude
I guess I lost that cool
Tapping 'til I drive you insane
I'm self-righteous, but never right
So laid back, but so uptight
Destroying your patience to tolerate me
With all the negative spirit I bring
Right, I was obsessed to bring you down
Watching your every move
Playing a little-boy game
Always with something to prove
Waiting to cut you down, making it hard to live
With only one thing to do
Cut me first, make it easy
Now you will be free
Now that nothing depends on me
Tapping 'till I drive you insane
Now you will be free
With no sick people tugging on your sleeve
Your big head has that "more room to grow"
A glory I will never know
A glory I will never know
I was battling you, trying to prove myself
I tried to bury you with guilt; I wanted to prove you wrong
I've got nothing better to do than pay too much attention to you
It's sad, but it's not your fault
Self-righteous and rude
I guess I lost that cool
Tapping 'til I drive you insane
I'm self-righteous, but never right
So laid back, but so uptight
Destroying your patience to tolerate me
With all the negative spirit I bring
Right, I was obsessed to bring you down
Watching your every move
Playing a little-boy game
Always with something to prove
Waiting to cut you down, making it hard to live
With only one thing to do
Cut me first, make it easy
Now you will be free
Now that nothing depends on me
Tapping 'till I drive you insane
Now you will be free
With no sick people tugging on your sleeve
Your big head has that "more room to grow"
A glory I will never know
A glory I will never know
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Great version of a great song,
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I actually asked Barlow about this song when I met him. He just said it was more of realizing that he may have been wrong when it came to the things him and J had between them. Great song.
wow, no comments on such a great tune. lyrically, a brilliant analysis of a relationship (barlow and mascis perhaps), so bitter and final. Sounds like the poem of someone finally moving on. God weve all been there!
I think they have kissed and made up because they recorded a new album together with Dinosaur Jr.
One of the few bitter reality-rooted songs with some accountability It's mostly about how he feels guilty for his own behavior, but still feels sorry for himself and thinks J was arrogant as fuck for kicking him out. I'd say.
yes. it is about barlow and mascis.
This is most often thought of as a dis against J Masics (and the last verse is a little harsh), but really it is about Lou realizing he was immature and basically he gave J no choice but to boot him from Dinosaur.
exactly, leamanc.. up until "Your big head has that more room to grow" the entire song was Lou admitting he was a pain in the ass.
the "Tapping 'til I drive you insane" bit i think is about being on the road and just intentionally doing little things that drive another person crazy. The section in "This band could be your life" on Dinsoaur Jr chronicles all of this.
yoladu, That "This band could be your life" Thing sounds like it might be in reference to the Minutemen song "History Lesson, Pt. 2". J Mascis knows Mike Watt who was the bassist for the Minutemen and has played with him.
One of the few bitter reality-rooted songs with some accountability It's mostly about how he feels guilty for his own behavior, but still feels sorry for himself and thinks J was arrogant as fuck for kicking him out. I'd say.
you suck