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.
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
And every time you notice me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
I don't believe that it could be
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I don't regret it and I don't think it
Was just a waste of time
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Don't just leave me hanging on
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
And every time you notice me
By holding me closely and saying sweet things
I don't believe that it could be
You speaking your mind and saying the real thing
My feet have broke free and I'm leaving
I'm not gonna stand here feeling lonely, but
I don't regret it and I don't think it
Was just a waste of time
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
The little things you do to me
Are taking me over; I wanna show you
Everything inside of me
Like a nervous heart that is crazy beating
My feet are stuck here against the pavement
I wanna break free; I wanna make it
Closer to your eyes, get your attention
Before you pass me by
Don't just leave me hanging on
Back up, back up; take another chance
Don't you mess up, mess up; I don't wanna lose you
Wake up, wake up; this ain't just a thing that you
Give up, give up; don't you say that I'd be better off
Better off sitting by myself and wondering
If I'm better off, better off without you, boy
Don't just leave me hanging on
Don't just leave me hanging on
Lyrics submitted by acousticxxbaby
The Little Things Lyrics as written by David James Wolinski Louis Andre Fischer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think she feels like the guy she likes is holding her back, but at the same time she doesn't want to be without him. he's leading her on, "don't just leave me hanging on". she's so wrapped up in him, she is stuck on whether to move on or stay with him, not sure if the relationship is going anywhere. like when she sings, "don't you say that i'd be better off, better off, sleeping by myself and wondering if i'm better off, better off without you boy" i think that line is her talking to herself trying to tell herself to stop saying that she won't be better off without him.. this song reminds me of my relationship sooo much, finally i've figured out what is going on and i've realized that i'm not better off without him