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.
Cigarette fingers ember stain
Incriminating notes on a paper chain
Did you ever get the feeling that you've been cheated'
I wanna bust out I've not been defeated
You're all strong bones they hold no water
Got the big fake smile, you just get sadder
Time wound down and you've been cached
Because half measured shows are all half ass
How did we ever end up this way'
And I fall numb in disarray
I'm cultivating my ignorance
Didn't we have some standards once'
I hate you and your cowboy boots oh
You wanted clever, and you settled for stupid
You threw it all away so indiscreet
Like a bad boy ready so dirty little cheat
It's a shallow vicious state of mind
Like an angry joke, getting dumped online
Give me back my photos will you'
You fucking whore I'll kill you
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
Our soundtrack is the slowest thing
Some will ache, replace the sting
Rap stars brag about shooting each other'
Whatever happened to brother brother
We like thugs when they attack
And we like crime when it's black on black
And isn't this you you cold hearted fake'
Isn't this more than you can take'
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just walk on by
(Don't believe it) This mobile gas
(Don't believe) And then we all can all get high
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
Wake up screaming (ha ha ha)
Wake up screaming (Oh)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Round up on the big lynch pins
I hope we don't get fooled again
All sensation makes no sense
You got some insane confidence
I can't find myself I can't change the station
In this cold damp cellar in this pity nation
Scandalize now with such ease
America, give me back my keys
Say hello to soldiers squeeze
The trigger on fake enemies
We're all aboard, and all alone
Till you come home
Bring us home
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Keep on breathing) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
Incriminating notes on a paper chain
Did you ever get the feeling that you've been cheated'
I wanna bust out I've not been defeated
You're all strong bones they hold no water
Got the big fake smile, you just get sadder
Time wound down and you've been cached
Because half measured shows are all half ass
How did we ever end up this way'
And I fall numb in disarray
I'm cultivating my ignorance
Didn't we have some standards once'
I hate you and your cowboy boots oh
You wanted clever, and you settled for stupid
You threw it all away so indiscreet
Like a bad boy ready so dirty little cheat
It's a shallow vicious state of mind
Like an angry joke, getting dumped online
Give me back my photos will you'
You fucking whore I'll kill you
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
Our soundtrack is the slowest thing
Some will ache, replace the sting
Rap stars brag about shooting each other'
Whatever happened to brother brother
We like thugs when they attack
And we like crime when it's black on black
And isn't this you you cold hearted fake'
Isn't this more than you can take'
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just walk on by
(Don't believe it) This mobile gas
(Don't believe) And then we all can all get high
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
Wake up screaming (ha ha ha)
Wake up screaming (Oh)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Yeah! (yeah!)
Round up on the big lynch pins
I hope we don't get fooled again
All sensation makes no sense
You got some insane confidence
I can't find myself I can't change the station
In this cold damp cellar in this pity nation
Scandalize now with such ease
America, give me back my keys
Say hello to soldiers squeeze
The trigger on fake enemies
We're all aboard, and all alone
Till you come home
Bring us home
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe) Just keep on breathing
(Don't believe it) Cause pretty soon
(Don't believe) That dead King George will wake up screaming
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Keep on breathing) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
(Don't believe it) Don't believe a word
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Pretty sure all the lyrics pasted here are wrong including those up top, they all have mistakes...anyone have the REAL lyrics?