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.
Kate, it's your ride
Get your petals out and lay them in the aisle
Pretend
You're God and grow, and it's your day to wed
We found your man
He's drinking up, he's all-American
And he'll drive
He's volunteered with grace to end your life
We'll tidy up
It's sad to hold, but leave your shell to us
You explode
You firefly, you tiny boat, with oars
Feather oars
The world tilts back and pours and pours and so
You satellite
You tidal wave, you're a big surprise
And I've one more night
To be your mother
The signal interrupts
My baby's frequency, not strong enough
Remain in my hands and smile
We will miss you, but in time you'll get set up
And we will write
Hey, beauty supreme
Yeah, you were right about me
But can I get myself out from underneath
This guilt that will crush me?
And in the choir
I saw our sad Messiah
He was bored and tired of my laments
Said, "I died for you one time, but never again"
Never again, never again, never again, never again
Never again, never again, never again, never again
Well, I love you so much (Never again)
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply (Never again)
No, 'cause I can dish it out (Never again)
But I can't take it (Never again) - 2x
One will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Two will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Three will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Four will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Five will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Six will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Seven loves you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Seven loves you so much (We'll never have to buy adjacent plots of earth)
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply (We'll never have to rot together underneath the dirt)
'Cause I can dish it out (I'll never have to lose my baby in the crowd)
But I can't take it (I should be laughing right now) - 3x
Get your petals out and lay them in the aisle
Pretend
You're God and grow, and it's your day to wed
We found your man
He's drinking up, he's all-American
And he'll drive
He's volunteered with grace to end your life
We'll tidy up
It's sad to hold, but leave your shell to us
You explode
You firefly, you tiny boat, with oars
Feather oars
The world tilts back and pours and pours and so
You satellite
You tidal wave, you're a big surprise
And I've one more night
To be your mother
The signal interrupts
My baby's frequency, not strong enough
Remain in my hands and smile
We will miss you, but in time you'll get set up
And we will write
Hey, beauty supreme
Yeah, you were right about me
But can I get myself out from underneath
This guilt that will crush me?
And in the choir
I saw our sad Messiah
He was bored and tired of my laments
Said, "I died for you one time, but never again"
Never again, never again, never again, never again
Never again, never again, never again, never again
Well, I love you so much (Never again)
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply (Never again)
No, 'cause I can dish it out (Never again)
But I can't take it (Never again) - 2x
One will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Two will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Three will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Four will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Five will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Six will love you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Seven loves you so much
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply
'Cause I can dish it out
But I can't take it
Seven loves you so much (We'll never have to buy adjacent plots of earth)
But do me a favor, baby, don't reply (We'll never have to rot together underneath the dirt)
'Cause I can dish it out (I'll never have to lose my baby in the crowd)
But I can't take it (I should be laughing right now) - 3x
Lyrics submitted by bnjared, edited by robbeh118, fob0403, nikkiixc, Mellow_Harsher, empiricynicism, XanderBoi
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
after reading the story of kate's death and watching the limo crash video, this is my perspective on
the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 loved you so much, but do me a favor baby don't reply
it has to be from the point of view of the devil. he's talking to the seven deadly sins, which he obviously loves. however, after kate's tragic death he actually feels remorse. that is why he says he can dish it out, but can't take it.
look at the underlines at the end: the devil never "has to be down to earth" (actually feel the feelings he inflicts)
never "has to live together on this piece of dirt" (live on the earth with the sins he invokes)
doesn't have to "find his baby in the crowd" (search for his decapitated daughter's head)
and the devil "should be laughing right now", but instead he feels remorse for the unrightful death.
just a thought