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.
There aren't any ladies present here in this room, are there?
So it's just us gentlemen, isn't it?
You know, I won't try to please her, I can't try to appease her,
Yes, I can't.
Even if this means that I won't be a man who sees her.
Yes.
You know, she can go if she wants to go, she can run if she wants to run.
But that's okay, cause I believe in everything I have done.
And this way she gonna--someday she's gonna respect me.
She'll say, "Jonathan, what you thinking'?" and I tell her everything.
Even if sometimes I'm scared to tell her, and I know it's gonna sting.
If that's too much for her, and she turns cold as ice.
That's okay, I believe in tellin' the truth, and I'm willing to pay the
price.
And she gonna--she's gonna respect me.
See, I'm a man, not a boy, I can't worry what she gonna think about me.
I'm a man now, and not a boy, and I can't worry what she'll do or think
about me.
Well, she can go if she wants to go, but I got to do the things that I
believe.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
She gonna-she's gonna respect me.
Look, sometimes we bound to argue, sometimes we bound to fight.
I don't want her tryin' to agree with me when I know she must still think
she's right.
I don't like that.
She can't lean on me, she's gotta think for herself.
Well, if leavin' me's better, that's good, if she thinks that'll help.
I want her to grow up, you know.
And this way she's gonna--she's gonna--she's gonna --she's gonna--respect me.
And that's what I want.
So it's just us gentlemen, isn't it?
You know, I won't try to please her, I can't try to appease her,
Yes, I can't.
Even if this means that I won't be a man who sees her.
Yes.
You know, she can go if she wants to go, she can run if she wants to run.
But that's okay, cause I believe in everything I have done.
And this way she gonna--someday she's gonna respect me.
She'll say, "Jonathan, what you thinking'?" and I tell her everything.
Even if sometimes I'm scared to tell her, and I know it's gonna sting.
If that's too much for her, and she turns cold as ice.
That's okay, I believe in tellin' the truth, and I'm willing to pay the
price.
And she gonna--she's gonna respect me.
See, I'm a man, not a boy, I can't worry what she gonna think about me.
I'm a man now, and not a boy, and I can't worry what she'll do or think
about me.
Well, she can go if she wants to go, but I got to do the things that I
believe.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
Hi-o Hi-o Silver.
She gonna-she's gonna respect me.
Look, sometimes we bound to argue, sometimes we bound to fight.
I don't want her tryin' to agree with me when I know she must still think
she's right.
I don't like that.
She can't lean on me, she's gotta think for herself.
Well, if leavin' me's better, that's good, if she thinks that'll help.
I want her to grow up, you know.
And this way she's gonna--she's gonna--she's gonna --she's gonna--respect me.
And that's what I want.
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Wow - no comments for this song? How many songs are there that deal with the issue of honesty and integrity in a relationship like this one? I can't think of any. I struggle with exactly those things and this song is an inspiration to me to be better.