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.
I was surprised
I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream
It stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sister's wedding day.
Got married in a rush to save a kid from being deported
Now she's in love
I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches
From my crippled friend
She was not impressed
Cause I cured her on the Sabbath
I went to confess
When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride
To whiskey and gin
To whiskey and gin.
The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel
Called The State That I'm In
So I gave myself to God
There was a pregnant pause before he said okay
Now I spend my days turning tables round in Marks & Spencer
They don't seem to mind.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me?
Cause I am stupid and blind
Desperation is the Devil's work, it is the folly Of a boy's empty mind
Oh and now I'm feeling dangerous
Riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Why don't you lead me to a living end
I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend,
My crippled friend.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin
And I've been there and back again
Oh yeah
I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream
It stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sister's wedding day.
Got married in a rush to save a kid from being deported
Now she's in love
I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches
From my crippled friend
She was not impressed
Cause I cured her on the Sabbath
I went to confess
When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride
To whiskey and gin
To whiskey and gin.
The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel
Called The State That I'm In
So I gave myself to God
There was a pregnant pause before he said okay
Now I spend my days turning tables round in Marks & Spencer
They don't seem to mind.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me?
Cause I am stupid and blind
Desperation is the Devil's work, it is the folly Of a boy's empty mind
Oh and now I'm feeling dangerous
Riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Why don't you lead me to a living end
I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend,
My crippled friend.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.
I gave myself to sin
And I've been there and back again
Oh yeah
Lyrics submitted by girlboyrevolt, edited by Mellow_Harsher
The State I Am In Lyrics as written by Isobel Campbell Christopher Geddes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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