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.
Picture yourself in the living room
Your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain't too far
But I, I hear the call of a lifetime ring
Felt the need to get up for it
Oh, and cut out the middleman
Get free from the middleman
You got no time for the messenger
Got no regard for the thing that you don't understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That's why you will not survive
I want to forget how convention fits
hmm, but could I get out from under it?
Can I cut it out of me? Oh, oh, oh
It can't all be wedding cake
It can't all be boiled away
I try but I can't let go of it
I can't let go of it
Uh-huh 'cause you don't talk to the water boy
And there's so much you could learn but you don't want to know
You will not back up an inch ever
That's why you will not survive
The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op
In the way that I spell it out
But you won't hear from the messenger
Don't wanna know 'bout something that you don't understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That's why you will not survive, hey!
Your pipe and slippers set out for you
I know you think that it ain't too far
But I, I hear the call of a lifetime ring
Felt the need to get up for it
Oh, and cut out the middleman
Get free from the middleman
You got no time for the messenger
Got no regard for the thing that you don't understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That's why you will not survive
I want to forget how convention fits
hmm, but could I get out from under it?
Can I cut it out of me? Oh, oh, oh
It can't all be wedding cake
It can't all be boiled away
I try but I can't let go of it
I can't let go of it
Uh-huh 'cause you don't talk to the water boy
And there's so much you could learn but you don't want to know
You will not back up an inch ever
That's why you will not survive
The thing that I tell you now
It may not go over well
And it may not be photo-op
In the way that I spell it out
But you won't hear from the messenger
Don't wanna know 'bout something that you don't understand
You got no fear of the underdog
That's why you will not survive, hey!
Lyrics submitted by fgevilmonkey, edited by ttenchantr, thefixerupper, namenottaken
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