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.
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the old folks say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
Guess I'd have more fun
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
You decide 'cause I don't have to
And then they'll find and I won't ask you
At any time or long hereafter
If the cold outside's as I'm imagining
It to be, oh, oh
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ah, na-na-na
Ah-ah-ah
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the young folks say
As if they'd ever change as that were mine to say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
'Cause what used to be's not there for me
And ought to for someone that belonged
Insane, like I do
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
On an ordinary day, not in an ordinary way
All at once, the song I heard, no longer would it play
For anybody or anyone
That needed comfort from somebody
Needed comfort from someone
Who cared to be not like you and unlike me
And then the voices went away from me
Somehow, you set the wheels in motion, now haunts our memories
You were the instrument, you were the one
How a body, took a body, you gave that boy a gun
Took our innocence beyond our stares
Sometimes, the only thing we counted on when no one else was there
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-na, na-na, na-na
Who look at life this way, that's what the old folks say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
Guess I'd have more fun
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
You decide 'cause I don't have to
And then they'll find and I won't ask you
At any time or long hereafter
If the cold outside's as I'm imagining
It to be, oh, oh
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Ah, na-na-na
Ah-ah-ah
Ooh, the Catcher in the Rye again
Ooh, won't let you get away from him
It's just another day like today
When all is said and done, we're not the only ones
Who look at life this way, that's what the young folks say
As if they'd ever change as that were mine to say
But every time I'd see them makes me wish I had a gun
If I thought that I was crazy, well, I guess I'd have more fun
'Cause what used to be's not there for me
And ought to for someone that belonged
Insane, like I do
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
And na-na-na, na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na
On an ordinary day, not in an ordinary way
All at once, the song I heard, no longer would it play
For anybody or anyone
That needed comfort from somebody
Needed comfort from someone
Who cared to be not like you and unlike me
And then the voices went away from me
Somehow, you set the wheels in motion, now haunts our memories
You were the instrument, you were the one
How a body, took a body, you gave that boy a gun
Took our innocence beyond our stares
Sometimes, the only thing we counted on when no one else was there
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah
Ah-na, na-na, na-na
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nah brian may's part was taken out in post production.