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.
Let the car door slam
And now begin to breathe the fumes
As the wheels begin to move
And it's all gonna happen to me
But I won't let it happen to you
And as the fever steals your mind
And the beat don't cease to rise
Like a sure tricky habit to break
But you won't ever have it till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
So dance, and now begin to be seduced
As the industry's amused
And when you're bored only scratching the seams
Cause you can't make it happen till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
God's honest no,
Ain't lying to you
Never been so ready been so ready
Don't understand how you bought the illusion
I could seem so steady, seem so steady,
Like I was doing all right, doing all right
So land, and begin to reconcile
As the sympathy's removed
And it's already having to be
That it won't ever happen to you
And as the fever steals your mind
And the beat don't cease to rise
And when you're bored only scratching the seams
Cause you can't smash & grab till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
God's honest no,
Ain't lying to you
Never been so ready been so ready
Don't understand how you bought the illusion
I could seem so steady, seem so steady,
Like I was doing all right, doing all right
And now begin to breathe the fumes
As the wheels begin to move
And it's all gonna happen to me
But I won't let it happen to you
And as the fever steals your mind
And the beat don't cease to rise
Like a sure tricky habit to break
But you won't ever have it till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
So dance, and now begin to be seduced
As the industry's amused
And when you're bored only scratching the seams
Cause you can't make it happen till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
God's honest no,
Ain't lying to you
Never been so ready been so ready
Don't understand how you bought the illusion
I could seem so steady, seem so steady,
Like I was doing all right, doing all right
So land, and begin to reconcile
As the sympathy's removed
And it's already having to be
That it won't ever happen to you
And as the fever steals your mind
And the beat don't cease to rise
And when you're bored only scratching the seams
Cause you can't smash & grab till you
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
Pay to Join, it's gotta happen sooner or later
God's honest no,
Ain't lying to you
Never been so ready been so ready
Don't understand how you bought the illusion
I could seem so steady, seem so steady,
Like I was doing all right, doing all right
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.