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 decline
To walk the line
They tell me that I'm lazy
Worldly wise
I realize
That everybody's crazy
A woman's voice reminds me
To serve and not to speak
Am I myself or just another freak
Don't you know
There's fire in the hole
And nothing left to burn
I'd like to run out now
There's nowhere left to turn
With a cough
I shake it off
And work around my yellow stripe
Should I hide
And eat my pride
Or wait until it's good and ripe
My life is boiling over
It's happened once before
I wish someone would open up the door
Don't you know
There's fire in the hole
And nothing left to burn
I'd like to run out now
There's nowhere left to turn
To walk the line
They tell me that I'm lazy
Worldly wise
I realize
That everybody's crazy
A woman's voice reminds me
To serve and not to speak
Am I myself or just another freak
Don't you know
There's fire in the hole
And nothing left to burn
I'd like to run out now
There's nowhere left to turn
With a cough
I shake it off
And work around my yellow stripe
Should I hide
And eat my pride
Or wait until it's good and ripe
My life is boiling over
It's happened once before
I wish someone would open up the door
Don't you know
There's fire in the hole
And nothing left to burn
I'd like to run out now
There's nowhere left to turn
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This song is about being in a public place and needing to pass gas. Think about it: "With a cough I shake it off And work around my yellow stripe" (jeans have yellow stripes) "Should I hide and eat my pride or wait until it's good and ripe" (I'm sure you've heard a fart described as "ripe") "My life is boiling over It's happened once before I wish someone would open up the door" (to bring in a little air so nobody will smell it!). Do I have to yell you what the "hole" is? Yes, "Fire in the hole" was a Vietnam term, but Fagen & Becker are not that direct.
I Honestly feel as if the narrator of this song is in the process of being detained by police." i decline to walk the line " ...has a slight similarity to the " Yellow stripe" Once spoken about. Think about it...When your caught durnk driving..You are usually asked to Walk that yellow line in the street. Yet our narrator doesnt want to do so...Because he knows it will show his drunkeness. " a Womens voice reminds me to serve and not to speak" may have been a female police officer maybe ? he also speaks of WORKING around his yellow stripe. maybe an indication to how intoxicated he may be during his struggle to walk straight! He knows he will be taken to jail.." My life is boiling over...its happend Once before" " I Wish someone would open up the door " Anyone who's been in the back of a police car knows That feeling of finality ! LOL " theres nothing left to burn" Drug Bust ? I dont know...i normally hate when people assume drug references in Dan songs...but then again...Its Quite Possible knowing these Guys....But..that about sums what i got from it in a nutshell. Feel free to add...!!!!!
Ok, that was funny!