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.
"What's there to lose?" Said the General
Selling our dead meat by the pound
Accidents of existence
Will make us all feel duty bound
To send along their one or to pursue a new curriculum
With stinky fingers takes a chair
Tum ti tum ti tum tum tum
A door is opened up for me
I think again and then decline
The need be not so great
If all descent in perfect peace of mind
Some consider childish dreams a matter of necessity
I almost screw myself to the point of my lifes expectancy
"I'll break off all of your charm!" says World
Her egg will burst and will arrive
A man who calls his own tune
Thinking it's so good to be alive
Says, "If these are the best what are the rest to be life?"
As for me I struggle with words and wisdom accusing
"It's you, it's me, it's him", you see
For all I know it's coming fast
To colonise my infancy
The space is clean but in between
It's coloured with anxiety
The failing clause is "Victory Complete with Words"
It's hard to see
That after all it's over
And done with supreme variety
A friend indeed is all I need
To show me to an open door
I can only trust myself
I should of thought of that before
They need a catch before I'm under
I will give myself to the war
For all I know it's coming fast
To colonise my infancy
The space is clean but in between
It's coloured with anxiety
The failing clause is "Victory Complete with Words"
It's hard to see
That after all it's over
And done with supreme variety
Selling our dead meat by the pound
Accidents of existence
Will make us all feel duty bound
To send along their one or to pursue a new curriculum
With stinky fingers takes a chair
Tum ti tum ti tum tum tum
A door is opened up for me
I think again and then decline
The need be not so great
If all descent in perfect peace of mind
Some consider childish dreams a matter of necessity
I almost screw myself to the point of my lifes expectancy
"I'll break off all of your charm!" says World
Her egg will burst and will arrive
A man who calls his own tune
Thinking it's so good to be alive
Says, "If these are the best what are the rest to be life?"
As for me I struggle with words and wisdom accusing
"It's you, it's me, it's him", you see
For all I know it's coming fast
To colonise my infancy
The space is clean but in between
It's coloured with anxiety
The failing clause is "Victory Complete with Words"
It's hard to see
That after all it's over
And done with supreme variety
A friend indeed is all I need
To show me to an open door
I can only trust myself
I should of thought of that before
They need a catch before I'm under
I will give myself to the war
For all I know it's coming fast
To colonise my infancy
The space is clean but in between
It's coloured with anxiety
The failing clause is "Victory Complete with Words"
It's hard to see
That after all it's over
And done with supreme variety
Lyrics submitted by Spacecow
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