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.
Well I woke up this morning
Took your advice
I dialed the number
And I let it ring twice
Then I hung up
Now I tried to do
Everything I could
To save our love
And make it feel good again
I can't fight it, there's nobody home
Hard hearted and all alone
I give you love, you ain't giving it back
I can't take it
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I've been kicked in the corner
I'm down in the dirt
I can't feel a thing
But I know it ought to hurt
Now your shaking my spirit
I'm breaking my back
I'm too blind to hear it
So I over react to satisfaction
If I could get me some
I ain't talking, there's nothing to say
Misunderstandin', your walking away
Maybe baby, it's gonna take time, time, time
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I need to see the soul doctor
You know things are looking grim
I keep searching for the soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
The doctor's soul intention
Let it be understood
Can't pull the strings of my heart
I ain't made out of wood
Now I take what I get
To get what it takes
Need a little bit a love
Got a whole lotta heartaches
I can't fight it, there's nobody home
Hard hearted and all alone
Maybe baby, it's gonna take time, time, time
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I need to see the soul doctor
You know things are looking grim
I keep searching for the soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
Hey, a little bit of soul, oh yeah
Doctor soul is in
Heart and soul doctor
I need to see the soul doctor, soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
Doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor save my soul
Doctor soul is in
Ooh
Took your advice
I dialed the number
And I let it ring twice
Then I hung up
Now I tried to do
Everything I could
To save our love
And make it feel good again
I can't fight it, there's nobody home
Hard hearted and all alone
I give you love, you ain't giving it back
I can't take it
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I've been kicked in the corner
I'm down in the dirt
I can't feel a thing
But I know it ought to hurt
Now your shaking my spirit
I'm breaking my back
I'm too blind to hear it
So I over react to satisfaction
If I could get me some
I ain't talking, there's nothing to say
Misunderstandin', your walking away
Maybe baby, it's gonna take time, time, time
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I need to see the soul doctor
You know things are looking grim
I keep searching for the soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
The doctor's soul intention
Let it be understood
Can't pull the strings of my heart
I ain't made out of wood
Now I take what I get
To get what it takes
Need a little bit a love
Got a whole lotta heartaches
I can't fight it, there's nobody home
Hard hearted and all alone
Maybe baby, it's gonna take time, time, time
I need to see the soul doctor
Before the fever begins
You know I'm searching for the soul doctor
When love is wearing thin
Doctor soul is in
I need to see the soul doctor
You know things are looking grim
I keep searching for the soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
Hey, a little bit of soul, oh yeah
Doctor soul is in
Heart and soul doctor
I need to see the soul doctor, soul doctor
Doctor soul is in
Doctor, doctor, doctor, doctor save my soul
Doctor soul is in
Ooh
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