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 a jungle out there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well, I do
Hey, who's in charge here?
It's a jungle out there
Poison in the very air we breathe
You know what's in the water that you drink?
Well I do, and it's amazing
People think I'm crazy, 'cause I worry all the time
If you paid attention, you'd be worried too
You better pay attention
Or this world you love so much might just kill you
I could be wrong now, but I don't think so
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
Violence and danger everywhere
It's brother against brother
Pounding on each other
Like they were Legionnaires
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle in here too
You got a tap right on your phone
A microphone and camera checking out everything you do
Call it paranoia, as the saying goes
Even paranoids have enemies
I'm not the one who's crazy, I'm not afraid of them
They're afraid of you and me
I could be wrong there, but I don't think so
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
Even the cops are scared today
So if you see a uniform
Do exactly what they say or make a run for it
I'm only kidding with ya
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well, I do
Hey, who's in charge here?
It's a jungle out there
Poison in the very air we breathe
You know what's in the water that you drink?
Well I do, and it's amazing
People think I'm crazy, 'cause I worry all the time
If you paid attention, you'd be worried too
You better pay attention
Or this world you love so much might just kill you
I could be wrong now, but I don't think so
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
Violence and danger everywhere
It's brother against brother
Pounding on each other
Like they were Legionnaires
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle in here too
You got a tap right on your phone
A microphone and camera checking out everything you do
Call it paranoia, as the saying goes
Even paranoids have enemies
I'm not the one who's crazy, I'm not afraid of them
They're afraid of you and me
I could be wrong there, but I don't think so
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
Even the cops are scared today
So if you see a uniform
Do exactly what they say or make a run for it
I'm only kidding with ya
'Cause it's a jungle out there
It's a jungle out there
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