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.
And I'm frustrated with myself
But I can't change
I don't want to be me anymore
And all of the tics & tocs & clicks of clocks
That tell the time tell me this is just a phase
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought, except...
And all the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear
To help me get some rest
Oh my darling dear?
The songs of the birds
Don't bring me calmness no more
Oh no, no they don't sing
And none of the girls seem to think you're cool
It's probably because you smell bad
A skin disease won't get you
Nowhere these days
It's true, it's sad but true
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought
And all of the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep I sing...
We're going to make plans
We have plans to make plans
We're going to do it right
We've locked it in our sights
I'll la-dee-da & they can dum-dee-day
We'll tra-la-la all night and day we'll go far
And if I write enough
And think about it it'll happen
It's not as tough as mom said
As it so happens
Your analyst lied to you when
She told you the truth
About boys, fear, open sores
And things that are simple
Like opening doors
And all the thoughts I think I've saved here
For days that remain
Just eat eat eat away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
But I can't change
I don't want to be me anymore
And all of the tics & tocs & clicks of clocks
That tell the time tell me this is just a phase
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought, except...
And all the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear
To help me get some rest
Oh my darling dear?
The songs of the birds
Don't bring me calmness no more
Oh no, no they don't sing
And none of the girls seem to think you're cool
It's probably because you smell bad
A skin disease won't get you
Nowhere these days
It's true, it's sad but true
And everything every day
That's been scraping away
At the side of my brain
Can't come to form a thought
And all of the thoughts I think I've saved
Here for days that remain
Just keep eating away
And I still can't sleep I sing...
We're going to make plans
We have plans to make plans
We're going to do it right
We've locked it in our sights
I'll la-dee-da & they can dum-dee-day
We'll tra-la-la all night and day we'll go far
And if I write enough
And think about it it'll happen
It's not as tough as mom said
As it so happens
Your analyst lied to you when
She told you the truth
About boys, fear, open sores
And things that are simple
Like opening doors
And all the thoughts I think I've saved here
For days that remain
Just eat eat eat away
And I still can't sleep, sing...
Lyrics submitted by _mycritique
Barnacle Goose Lyrics as written by Mitchell Derosier Luke Michael Charles Lalonde
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think that the narrator is mad because a girl doesn't like him. He begins to take it out on himself "Im frustrated with myself...". then he simply asks the girl why not "Why can't you tell me what I wanna hear". He can't get any sleep at night, he cant concentrate at because of this girl. He then forgets about her and decided to go on in life and "make plans" do other things. If he tries hard enough and believes in himself he can do anything. But in the end, he still cant do anything but he still does the same mistake "And I still can't sleep, sing... "
I think a girl is involved, but I think there's way more to it than that.