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 been sittin' here staring
At the clock on the wall
And I been layin here praying
Praying she won't call
It's just another call from home
And you'll get it and be gone
And I'll be crying
And I'll be beggin you baby
Beg you not to leave
But I'll be left here waiting
With my heart on my sleeve
Oh for the next time we'll be here
Seems like a million years
And I think I'm dying
What do I have to do to make you see
She can't love you like me
Why dont you stay
Im down on my knees
Im so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We dont have to live this way
Baby why dont you stay
You keep telling me baby
There will come a time
When you will leave her arms
And forever be in mine
But I don't think that's the truth
And I don't like being used
And I'm tired of waiting
It's too much pain to have to bare
To love a man you have to share
Why dont you stay
Im down on my knees
Im so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don't have to live this way
Baby why don't you stay
I can't take it any longer
But my will is getting stronger
And I think I know just what I have to do
I can't waste another minute
After all that I've put in it
I've given you my best
Why does she get the best of you
So the next time you find
You wanna leave her bed for mine
Why dont you stay
I'm up off my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely
You cant give me what I need
When she begs you not to go
There is one thing you should know
I dont have to live this way
Baby why dont you stay
At the clock on the wall
And I been layin here praying
Praying she won't call
It's just another call from home
And you'll get it and be gone
And I'll be crying
And I'll be beggin you baby
Beg you not to leave
But I'll be left here waiting
With my heart on my sleeve
Oh for the next time we'll be here
Seems like a million years
And I think I'm dying
What do I have to do to make you see
She can't love you like me
Why dont you stay
Im down on my knees
Im so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We dont have to live this way
Baby why dont you stay
You keep telling me baby
There will come a time
When you will leave her arms
And forever be in mine
But I don't think that's the truth
And I don't like being used
And I'm tired of waiting
It's too much pain to have to bare
To love a man you have to share
Why dont you stay
Im down on my knees
Im so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don't have to live this way
Baby why don't you stay
I can't take it any longer
But my will is getting stronger
And I think I know just what I have to do
I can't waste another minute
After all that I've put in it
I've given you my best
Why does she get the best of you
So the next time you find
You wanna leave her bed for mine
Why dont you stay
I'm up off my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely
You cant give me what I need
When she begs you not to go
There is one thing you should know
I dont have to live this way
Baby why dont you stay
Lyrics submitted by Crazeysexycool, edited by m16joe
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I heard about this song from my younger cousin, who said she had a "cute" song she wanted me to hear. She played the video for me On Demand, and I broke down in tears, it was that amazing. Especially when she started crying; I just completely lost it.
I don't normally go for country music, and I detest songs about cheating, but this song just blows me away. Simple, straightforward, and no explanation needed. Listen to it back-to-back with Faith Hill's Cry and I swear you'll be sobbing for a good half hour, at least!(They just happen to be on my playlist in that order. Ugh.)
cruzntopless, while I don't condone cheating(been cheated on WAAAY too many times to make that leap), there ARE exceptions to every rule. Now, if the woman went into the relationship KNOWING "her" man was married, then, the ho got what she deserved. However, what if, like so many situations, she didn't know he was married until it was WAY too late to back out of? Like they'd been together a couple of years with him successfully hiding his marital status up to that point? Or if he told his lover that he was married, but separated or in the middle of a divorce, then strung them both along until she realized the truth of the situation? And while you and I might have left as soon as we realized something like this was going on, a woman in love wants to believe the best in her man. And it's so much easier for the "other woman" to believe a man's lies: He's not in love with his wife, but staying for the sake of the kids, or because she's sick(physically or mentally), or because she'd ruin him financially or the millions of other lies that can fall from a man's lips so very easily. As long as one or both women involved don't start "nagging," the only one truly happy in that situation is HIM.
Anyway, awesome song, phenomenal video, excellent artists!