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.
He knew what he wanted to say
But he did not want to word it
The dirty little Herbert
Was seeking an escape
But the place was well-guarded
The guiltiness that started
Soon as the other part had stopped
"D" is for delightful
And try and keep your trousers on
I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
"D" is for desperately trying to simulate
What it was that was all right
Three quarters of an hour ago
That had led him to be in a position
On the brink of a mission
On the brink of an episode
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel
I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
"D" is for delightful
And try and keep your trousers on
You should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
But he did not want to word it
The dirty little Herbert
Was seeking an escape
But the place was well-guarded
The guiltiness that started
Soon as the other part had stopped
"D" is for delightful
And try and keep your trousers on
I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
"D" is for desperately trying to simulate
What it was that was all right
Three quarters of an hour ago
That had led him to be in a position
On the brink of a mission
On the brink of an episode
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene
He's nearing the brink but he thinks first
A parallel
I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
"D" is for delightful
And try and keep your trousers on
You should know you're his favorite worst nightmare
Lyrics submitted by dark kirby
D Is For Dangerous Lyrics as written by Alex Turner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song is about Andy Nicholson, and maybe his dislike for that jet-set life the band was about to embark on (and by jet-set I mean travelling, going everywhere, not acting like glitterati or whatnot). I get the feeling that the person Alex Turner is singing to here is fame, or success.
Supposedly, Andy left the band because of "fatigue," and when I heard this song for about the third time, it hit me- it could be about him. The band resents him for copping out on this great thing they had all started together. Maybe he wanted to leave the band earlier ("...was thinking an escape route) but couldn't ("the place was well guarded") because they were just moving so fast.
"D is for delightful, so try and keep your trousers on" could be someone telling him to be man, and to just stick this thing out, and that their new lifestyle would eventually get easier.
"I think you should know you're his favorite worst nightmare:" It's almost like Alex Turner is telling success/fame herself that she is the goal they want to strive for. but at the same time she could be a nightmare because of the backlash that comes from success- leaving your home, leaving your family, stuff like that.
When he says that he's "desperately trying to stimulate (I actually think it's 'simulate') what it was that was all right three quarters of an hour ago," I think he means that Andy was was just being way too homesick, probably talking about the "old days" a lot, just missing the days before they got big.
And then he's nearing the brink (quitting the band) but the thinks first because the parallel universe perhaps could be the perfect scene. That parallel universe being the world of fame and recogniton and the success/money that comes with it. I mean, no matter how much you hate fame, it does have it's perks. I think Alex calls that the parallel universe, and that it could be something the band could get used to, but ultimately it still is the favourite worst nightmare. A bittersweet experience, you take the good with the bad.