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.
Never took a scene check
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
You had your photograph, in a magazine
Such a pretty boy, only nineteen
But now your twenty-three and it's all gone now
You ain't all that, you wanna be somehow
Maybe it was only a dream!
You just thought you could be anything that you wanted to be
Sadly, it all went wrong so
Never took a scene check
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
Still just go to the same old clubs
But the new kids have got one above
Music tastes change like the wind
You're doin' now what's already been
And you still think that you're so it
Cause you know so and so, and you made a hit
But you can't hear it being played
Cause you my friend have had your day
Never took a scene check
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
You had your photograph, in a magazine
Such a pretty boy, only nineteen
But now your twenty-three and it's all gone now
You ain't all that, you wanna be somehow
Maybe it was only a dream!
You just thought you could be anything that you wanted to be
Sadly, it all went wrong so
Never took a scene check
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
Still just go to the same old clubs
But the new kids have got one above
Music tastes change like the wind
You're doin' now what's already been
And you still think that you're so it
Cause you know so and so, and you made a hit
But you can't hear it being played
Cause you my friend have had your day
Never took a scene check
Never were a reject
Always lookin' perfect
Now you aren't so in step
In step
In step
In step
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This song is brilliant! Vince took it off his myspace page but he did an awesome acoustic version!
Awesome song! But listening to it, I'm sure it says "Never took a scene check, never were a reject, ALWAYS looking perfect..."
I think it's about modeling, when your young you got lucky and then as your holder someone else is stepping in. great song!
The lyrics to this song are depressing in my opinion... basically the person is so into himself that he fails to realize that hes not as cool as he thought. I love the the part of the song that starts at 2.20 Good song :)