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.
Last night, as I got home about a half past ten
There was the woman I thought I knew
In the arms of another man
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool
Let me tell ya what happened then
I packed some clothes and I walked out
And I ain't goin' back again
So, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life
You've been many things, but most of all a good secretary to me
And it's times like this, I feel you've always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
All work and no play has just cost me a wife
So, take a letter, Maria, no, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I'm free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Well, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
Well, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life, mm
Take a letter, Maria
There was the woman I thought I knew
In the arms of another man
I kept my cool, I ain't no fool
Let me tell ya what happened then
I packed some clothes and I walked out
And I ain't goin' back again
So, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta start a new life
You've been many things, but most of all a good secretary to me
And it's times like this, I feel you've always been close to me
Was I wrong to work nights to try to build a good life
All work and no play has just cost me a wife
So, take a letter, Maria, no, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understand
That she would find more pleasure in the arms of another man
I never really noticed how sweet you are to me
It just so happens I'm free tonight
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Well, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life
Oh, take a letter, Maria, address it to my wife
Send a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
Well, take a letter Maria, address it to my wife
Say I won't be coming home, gotta start a new life, mm
Take a letter, Maria
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