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.
O why play foolish games
You know this shit ain’t changed
You know I’m the same dude I’ve always been
You won’t act the fool
Talking all this bull shit
It’s the same damn attitude that drew you in
You can run up with your mouth cause it’s okay
I remember all the shit that you told me
I know I know when you got a love for me
And I got a love for you
You can talk til your throat gets hoarse,
Your lips get chapped, and your tongue gets sore
I don’t see what you’re so worked up for
What do you want me to do?
You’re running out of oxygen cause everybody’s holding their breath
You take a story, run with it and tell it til you beat it to death and you still do it best cause you’re easy
Well I can’t take it much longer and I’m getting depressed
You escape and resist arrest
You say you’re obsessed and deny you confessed
But I must admit I’m impressed you believe me
You could learn a lesson from me
Why you always messing with me
If you’d act professionally
Then things could potentially be alright
If you can’t say what’s on your mind
Then I can’t afford to waste my time
If you want to look behind and be blind
Well, that’s just fine
Let’s end it tonight
Because
You can give me every line in the book
Every tried true time just a tired old look
You can get away feeling like a small time crook
And I’ll do what I want to do
And if there’s nothing else to say, I’ll split
Cause the fact of the matter is I ain’t your bitch
Why you always giving me the bait and switch?
Girl, just tell me the truth
And now everything you ever thought you wanted only gets in the way
You run into the audience and yell at her and tell her to stay
And that’s all you say cause you need her
You think it’s out of your hands and you only have to wait for the next little move she’ll make
Cause you’re long overdue for a big mistake
and you know whose heart it will break if you leave her
Ain’t a damned thing changed
KGW’s the one’s this game
We got it locked and ain’t a damn thing changed
Ain’t a damned thing changed
Ain’t a damned thing changed
You try to copy but it’s not the same
You know this shit ain’t changed
You know I’m the same dude I’ve always been
You won’t act the fool
Talking all this bull shit
It’s the same damn attitude that drew you in
You can run up with your mouth cause it’s okay
I remember all the shit that you told me
I know I know when you got a love for me
And I got a love for you
You can talk til your throat gets hoarse,
Your lips get chapped, and your tongue gets sore
I don’t see what you’re so worked up for
What do you want me to do?
You’re running out of oxygen cause everybody’s holding their breath
You take a story, run with it and tell it til you beat it to death and you still do it best cause you’re easy
Well I can’t take it much longer and I’m getting depressed
You escape and resist arrest
You say you’re obsessed and deny you confessed
But I must admit I’m impressed you believe me
You could learn a lesson from me
Why you always messing with me
If you’d act professionally
Then things could potentially be alright
If you can’t say what’s on your mind
Then I can’t afford to waste my time
If you want to look behind and be blind
Well, that’s just fine
Let’s end it tonight
Because
You can give me every line in the book
Every tried true time just a tired old look
You can get away feeling like a small time crook
And I’ll do what I want to do
And if there’s nothing else to say, I’ll split
Cause the fact of the matter is I ain’t your bitch
Why you always giving me the bait and switch?
Girl, just tell me the truth
And now everything you ever thought you wanted only gets in the way
You run into the audience and yell at her and tell her to stay
And that’s all you say cause you need her
You think it’s out of your hands and you only have to wait for the next little move she’ll make
Cause you’re long overdue for a big mistake
and you know whose heart it will break if you leave her
Ain’t a damned thing changed
KGW’s the one’s this game
We got it locked and ain’t a damn thing changed
Ain’t a damned thing changed
Ain’t a damned thing changed
You try to copy but it’s not the same
Lyrics submitted by teh merrymaker
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Great version of a great song,
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