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.
Oh, sleeping in the trees.
Traveling light, an unseen breeze.
I never really thought I'd get caught in that quad, but I was wrong.
Oh, I wanna get well
and find a skill I can sell.
Because no one buys what I try
to give away.
Trapped in the city.
No sleep, no more.
Just stay up yelling
at pimps and whores.
Whores?
And what for?
What for?
Is this art or war?
And who made
the part of my brain
that makes music
feel like pain?
"Go to bed whiteass! Get straight! Get a job! You calling me crazy? What's your problem? Are you lazy? Disrespect me? You gotta pay me."
Traveling light, an unseen breeze.
I never really thought I'd get caught in that quad, but I was wrong.
Oh, I wanna get well
and find a skill I can sell.
Because no one buys what I try
to give away.
Trapped in the city.
No sleep, no more.
Just stay up yelling
at pimps and whores.
Whores?
And what for?
What for?
Is this art or war?
And who made
the part of my brain
that makes music
feel like pain?
"Go to bed whiteass! Get straight! Get a job! You calling me crazy? What's your problem? Are you lazy? Disrespect me? You gotta pay me."
Lyrics submitted by Winterstale333
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this was the first song i heard by TMS over a year ago, and it's wonderful. I've recently started listening to them again. Good decision i made (:
I think it's about a homeless guy, who's thinking about his life and what it could have been. Surprisingly heartfelt, and so beautiful.