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.
Every time I stop and think
I'm hit with everything
that I was taught about right and wrong
and what to get used to.
They're cheating in the seats of SUVs,
In the shade of the trees,
Down my street, behind the backs of husbands, wives and bosses.
And I'm sitting here with my dog, six beers and my guitar
on this porch of wood making them my business.
They say the economy is in a slump
and folks like them, they're giving up
They jump from planes, in front of trains, and some from bridges.
That's alright, that ain't my life.
I cough all morning and I smoke all night.
That's alright, that ain't my life.
I pay $200 rent and I work when I like.
Woah woah, where did we go wrong?
Woah woah, have I been sitting out too long?
No cash in my hands means I'm nothing to you.
But I won't sell myself.
I've got this friend close to me
She called from NYC
Said she's got stock options, salary and full benefits.
She works the 22nd floor
In a cubicle built for her
She answers phones and talks a bunch about investments.
Well she's finally in love
She met some guy from Texas
She says he's the one but she has yet to meet him.
They talk now everyday, online to communicate.
I said fuck that job, fuck that new beau, yeah fuck that pension.
Cause that ain't right, that ain't no life.
You work a 60 hour week to see one hour of sunlight.
That ain't right, no that ain't no life.
That guy, when you finally meet in the end, you won't even like.
Woah woah, where did we go wrong?
Woah woah, have I been sitting out too long?
No cash in my hands means I'm nothing to you.,
But I won't sell myself.
Every time I stop and think
I'm hit with everything
that I was taught about right and wrong
and what to get used to.
I let the greedy deal with greed.
I ain't got nothing but myself
and I ain't selling that for no one else.
I won't surround my emptiness with greed
or shit I don't even need
In don't ask don't tell relationships based on infidelity.
I know it ain't right, it ain't much of a life.
But I let tomorrow be tomorrow
and let tonight be tonight.
I'm hit with everything
that I was taught about right and wrong
and what to get used to.
They're cheating in the seats of SUVs,
In the shade of the trees,
Down my street, behind the backs of husbands, wives and bosses.
And I'm sitting here with my dog, six beers and my guitar
on this porch of wood making them my business.
They say the economy is in a slump
and folks like them, they're giving up
They jump from planes, in front of trains, and some from bridges.
That's alright, that ain't my life.
I cough all morning and I smoke all night.
That's alright, that ain't my life.
I pay $200 rent and I work when I like.
Woah woah, where did we go wrong?
Woah woah, have I been sitting out too long?
No cash in my hands means I'm nothing to you.
But I won't sell myself.
I've got this friend close to me
She called from NYC
Said she's got stock options, salary and full benefits.
She works the 22nd floor
In a cubicle built for her
She answers phones and talks a bunch about investments.
Well she's finally in love
She met some guy from Texas
She says he's the one but she has yet to meet him.
They talk now everyday, online to communicate.
I said fuck that job, fuck that new beau, yeah fuck that pension.
Cause that ain't right, that ain't no life.
You work a 60 hour week to see one hour of sunlight.
That ain't right, no that ain't no life.
That guy, when you finally meet in the end, you won't even like.
Woah woah, where did we go wrong?
Woah woah, have I been sitting out too long?
No cash in my hands means I'm nothing to you.,
But I won't sell myself.
Every time I stop and think
I'm hit with everything
that I was taught about right and wrong
and what to get used to.
I let the greedy deal with greed.
I ain't got nothing but myself
and I ain't selling that for no one else.
I won't surround my emptiness with greed
or shit I don't even need
In don't ask don't tell relationships based on infidelity.
I know it ain't right, it ain't much of a life.
But I let tomorrow be tomorrow
and let tonight be tonight.
Lyrics submitted by Medications
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