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.
We met in the emergency ward
Getting our stomachs pumped
Suffered the indignities two curtains apart
Overhead the cop who brought you in say
"Next time, son, you might not be so lucky"
And I laughed out loud
You counted all the times you crashed your car
I showed you the scars on my arms
We stuttered and stopped right there
'Til I got a brilliant idea
And kicked my legs right out from under me
Trying to kick up my heels
And you laughed and said
"You tried so hard"
The first time we said goodnight
I could hardly speak let alone sleep
Took a deep breath, let it out and then
Looked straight at you and said
"I don't think life just happens to you
More likely in spite of you
It's a marvelous thing"
Getting our stomachs pumped
Suffered the indignities two curtains apart
Overhead the cop who brought you in say
"Next time, son, you might not be so lucky"
And I laughed out loud
You counted all the times you crashed your car
I showed you the scars on my arms
We stuttered and stopped right there
'Til I got a brilliant idea
And kicked my legs right out from under me
Trying to kick up my heels
And you laughed and said
"You tried so hard"
The first time we said goodnight
I could hardly speak let alone sleep
Took a deep breath, let it out and then
Looked straight at you and said
"I don't think life just happens to you
More likely in spite of you
It's a marvelous thing"
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Dang, it's way too easy to double-post by mistake.