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.
You may think its impossible
For just a couple of boys
Building an igloo in Illinois
And how the cold air
It dries our skin
We can't wait for summer
To come and warm our bodies again
Cause inside these heavy winter clothes
Yeah, I'm like a lit black cat
Awaiting to explode
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time, we got time
Climb the tree in my front yard
Dodging rocks being thrown by younger arms
And in ten years I'll be on my own
And in ten years I'll be all alone
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time, we got time
Open up and swallow me whole
And I couldn't find a reason to be afraid
And I wouldn't mind if that's the way it had to stay
And I never had to act a certain way
Now I'm afraid I'll never be the same
Open me up, swallow me whole
Feed this feeling that's in my soul
Take this song and rock and roll
Turn it off and lose control
For just a couple of boys
Building an igloo in Illinois
And how the cold air
It dries our skin
We can't wait for summer
To come and warm our bodies again
Cause inside these heavy winter clothes
Yeah, I'm like a lit black cat
Awaiting to explode
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time, we got time
Climb the tree in my front yard
Dodging rocks being thrown by younger arms
And in ten years I'll be on my own
And in ten years I'll be all alone
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time to get down
We got time, we got time, we got time
Open up and swallow me whole
And I couldn't find a reason to be afraid
And I wouldn't mind if that's the way it had to stay
And I never had to act a certain way
Now I'm afraid I'll never be the same
Open me up, swallow me whole
Feed this feeling that's in my soul
Take this song and rock and roll
Turn it off and lose control
Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11
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
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.