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.
There's always somebody taller with more of a wit
And he's equipped to enthrall her and her friends think he's fit
And you just can't measure up though, you don't have a prayer
Wishing that you'd made the most of her when she was there
They've got engaged, there's no intention of a wedding
He's pinched your bird and he'd probably kick your head in
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but I know you were though
Now you don't know what she's up to, you can only assume
If she's not in the front of the shops then they've gone to his room
Bet she's gone 'round in her school stuff, bet that's what he likes
I know you thought she were different and you thought she were nice
But she's not nice, she's pretty fucking far from nice
She's looking at you funny rarely looking at you twice
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but it's so clear you were though
Have you heard what she's been doing? Never did it for me
He picks her up at the school gates at twenty past three
She's been with all of the boys but never went very far
And she wagged English and Science just to go in his car
They've got engaged, there's no intention of a wedding
He's pinched my bird and he'd probably kick my head in
Oh, now the girls have grown
Yeah, but I'm sure that they still carry on in similar ways
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but I'm only pretending, you know
Yeah, I'm only pretending, you know
I was only pretending, you know
I was only pretending, you know
And he's equipped to enthrall her and her friends think he's fit
And you just can't measure up though, you don't have a prayer
Wishing that you'd made the most of her when she was there
They've got engaged, there's no intention of a wedding
He's pinched your bird and he'd probably kick your head in
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but I know you were though
Now you don't know what she's up to, you can only assume
If she's not in the front of the shops then they've gone to his room
Bet she's gone 'round in her school stuff, bet that's what he likes
I know you thought she were different and you thought she were nice
But she's not nice, she's pretty fucking far from nice
She's looking at you funny rarely looking at you twice
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but it's so clear you were though
Have you heard what she's been doing? Never did it for me
He picks her up at the school gates at twenty past three
She's been with all of the boys but never went very far
And she wagged English and Science just to go in his car
They've got engaged, there's no intention of a wedding
He's pinched my bird and he'd probably kick my head in
Oh, now the girls have grown
Yeah, but I'm sure that they still carry on in similar ways
Bigger boys and stolen sweethearts
Oh, you're better off without her anyway
You said you wasn't sad to see her go
Yeah, but I'm only pretending, you know
Yeah, I'm only pretending, you know
I was only pretending, you know
I was only pretending, you know
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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I think it's "he's equipped to enthrall her", except with the H dropped because of the Northern accent. I love this song, it's so funny. Arctic Monkeys are good at dismissing Chavs.