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.
A white ghost
Making his way up the west coast
Trying to focus his high hopes
On a vagina or two
He's taking his chances
Meanwhile
Back in his living room
Bright smiles
Are watching his toddler run speed trials
Over his grandmothers rug
And nature advances
Up the interstate
He's been awake
And pretty drunk for three whole days
No one wants to stop
Until they get to where they're going
I'll get to where I'm going
Pretty soon
So he takes another drink
He's watching the scenery bleed
Into each similar scene
It isn't as sweet
As it had been in his dreams
It's faster
To buy cigarettes and some cold beer
If you don't rattle the cashier
By asking her back to your room
She's calling security
A car's on fire in the parking lot
And nobody wants it to rain
But God isn't listening
So all the windshields glisten
The water and oil mix
Causing the fire to spread
To five or six
Innocent automobiles
Waiting in the nearby spots
Oh, what a cruel God we've got
So he takes another drink
He's watching the scenery bleed
Into each similar scene
It isn't as sweet
As it had been in his dreams
Making his way up the west coast
Trying to focus his high hopes
On a vagina or two
He's taking his chances
Meanwhile
Back in his living room
Bright smiles
Are watching his toddler run speed trials
Over his grandmothers rug
And nature advances
Up the interstate
He's been awake
And pretty drunk for three whole days
No one wants to stop
Until they get to where they're going
I'll get to where I'm going
Pretty soon
So he takes another drink
He's watching the scenery bleed
Into each similar scene
It isn't as sweet
As it had been in his dreams
It's faster
To buy cigarettes and some cold beer
If you don't rattle the cashier
By asking her back to your room
She's calling security
A car's on fire in the parking lot
And nobody wants it to rain
But God isn't listening
So all the windshields glisten
The water and oil mix
Causing the fire to spread
To five or six
Innocent automobiles
Waiting in the nearby spots
Oh, what a cruel God we've got
So he takes another drink
He's watching the scenery bleed
Into each similar scene
It isn't as sweet
As it had been in his dreams
Lyrics submitted by jonathanbindel
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