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.
I should have killed you myself
It was always a dream of mine
I could have used a little help
But red wine's been a good friend of mine
I got sad news
Take off your shoes
Sit down for a while
A while, a while
Oh
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
Oh, the children, they're just babies
Little baby-sized socks and shoes
And I think that maybe
I should keep them away from you
I crawl in and then
I creep out outloud
I got a job,
I'm not proud, I'm not proud, no
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
Sad, sad, I got sad news
I got
Sad news
I got sad news
But it
(sad, sad, sad, sad)
It's all over now
It
(sad, sad, sad, sad)
It's all done
Red, red rover
I can't remember the game
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
It was always a dream of mine
I could have used a little help
But red wine's been a good friend of mine
I got sad news
Take off your shoes
Sit down for a while
A while, a while
Oh
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
Oh, the children, they're just babies
Little baby-sized socks and shoes
And I think that maybe
I should keep them away from you
I crawl in and then
I creep out outloud
I got a job,
I'm not proud, I'm not proud, no
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
Sad, sad, I got sad news
I got
Sad news
I got sad news
But it
(sad, sad, sad, sad)
It's all over now
It
(sad, sad, sad, sad)
It's all done
Red, red rover
I can't remember the game
I'm wearing me out
I'm wearing my old clothes
I'm writing all new poems
I'm riding in my car
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pretty sure it's 'I should have killed you myself'
amazing song
beautiful
I feel like this goes somewhat along with 'Baby's Romance'
Like it's what happened to him after the molestation. He's had to grow up and get past it.
I love this line - 'Red, red rover I can't remember the game'
I find it so depressing. Like his childhood is gone - torn from him. He can't even remember the games he used to play. He can't remember the good times of being a child.