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.
It's been a long hard night
Out on Highway 501
Trying to make the wrong things right
Saying oh my god what have I done
And I can barely see to drive
The sun's gone down now I'm going with it
With a bottle between my thighs
Praying I see the city limit sign
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
There's one light on the road tonight
It's nice to know that somebody else is alive
Want to get lonely in my mind
I think I need somebody all the time
Well don't judge me by my past
I feel bad, runaway from that
And I can never make anything last I feel bad
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
Well I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
It's not alright when you're not breathing
It's not alright when I'm on your floor
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Out on Highway 501
Trying to make the wrong things right
Saying oh my god what have I done
And I can barely see to drive
The sun's gone down now I'm going with it
With a bottle between my thighs
Praying I see the city limit sign
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
There's one light on the road tonight
It's nice to know that somebody else is alive
Want to get lonely in my mind
I think I need somebody all the time
Well don't judge me by my past
I feel bad, runaway from that
And I can never make anything last I feel bad
She says Why do you do what you do?
I can't always come back to you
Well I don't know why I do what I do
But I'll always come back to you
It's not alright when you're not breathing
It's not alright when I'm on your floor
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Call it what you will but I call it leaving
One more step and I'm out your door
Lyrics submitted by kaitlynn422
501 Lyrics as written by Robert Justin Osborne
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I would say it has something to do with him leaving, but I'm not sure what "you're not breathing" has to do with it. Maybe he had someone OD that he was in a relationship with, and he's sick of dealing with someone like that, so he's on his way to my hometown, Myrtle Beach...