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.
So you think you've had a walk in the park,
You don't think you've been working too hard,
Looks like he's been opening up,
He don't want to but he can't stop, Can't stop,
And whats the name you tried to find?
And did you see the way she appeared,
Shes the type that knows everyone here,
Know the face, but I don't know her name,
Know her friends, and you know she's just the same,
And whats the name you tried to find?
Open house and i'm opening up,
Don't want to but he can't stop, Can't stop,
Open house and i'll never come down,
Clear it up when the morning comes around,
And whats the name you tried to find?
You don't think you've been working too hard,
Looks like he's been opening up,
He don't want to but he can't stop, Can't stop,
And whats the name you tried to find?
And did you see the way she appeared,
Shes the type that knows everyone here,
Know the face, but I don't know her name,
Know her friends, and you know she's just the same,
And whats the name you tried to find?
Open house and i'm opening up,
Don't want to but he can't stop, Can't stop,
Open house and i'll never come down,
Clear it up when the morning comes around,
And whats the name you tried to find?
Lyrics submitted by newyorkrunaway
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best riff i have ever heard. Just unforgettable!
Sounds like it's about a boy who's seen a girl at a party and is approaching her even though he doesn't want to cause he knows she's just like her friends (bad news)
to me it sounds like its the end of a school year kinda thing and they're all at a house party..
"So you think you've had a walk in the park, you don't think you've been working too hard," - its the end of school and they're just looking back over it and saying 'it wasn't that had really was it?'
"Looks like he's been opening up, he don't want to but he can't stop, can't stop" - i'm not 100% sure about this one but maybe because its the end of year he's just going enjoying himself and not caring much about anything.
"And whats the name you tried to find?" - i think this lines about how people try really hard to fit in or try to be something there not..?
"And did you see the way she appeared, shes the type that knows everyone here, know the face, but I don't know her name, know her friends, and you know she's just the same" - i'm pretty sure this bits about the cool kids hitting the party. i think the second bit to it aswell is perhaps the guy thinking 'ohh, maybe i should try and give it a go with her' but then he's just like, actually whatever there's plenty more fish in the sea.
"Open house and i'm opening up, don't want to but he can't stop, Can't stop" - 'open house could meaning quite a wild house party i'm guessing? and everyone's just letting themself go.
"Open house and i'll never come down, clear it up when the morning comes around" - the first bit is like everyone's going crazy and partying and noone can really care, and the second bit kinda sums up the 'house party' bit, like they can't really care at the moment so they'll just deal with the aftermath in the morning.
but hey, what i do know? i'm just a fifteen year old bombay bicycle geek with too much spare time..