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.
I've got a really bad disease
It's got me begging
On my hands and knees
So take me to the emergency
Cause something seems to be missing
Somebody take the pain away
It's like an ulcer bleeding in my brain
Send me to the pharmacy
So I can lose my memory
I'm elated
Medicated
Lord knows I tried to find a way to run away
I think they found another cure
For broken hearts and feeling insecure
You'd be surprised what I endure
What make you feel self-assure?
I need to find a place to hide
You never know what could be
Waiting outside
The accidents you could find
It's like some kind of suicide
So what ails you is what impales you
I feel like I've been crucified to be satisfied
I'm a victim of my symptom
I am my own worst enemy
You're a victim of your symptom
You are your own worst enemy
Know your enemy
I'm elated
Medicated
I am my own worst enemy
So what ails you is what impales you
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy
It's got me begging
On my hands and knees
So take me to the emergency
Cause something seems to be missing
Somebody take the pain away
It's like an ulcer bleeding in my brain
Send me to the pharmacy
So I can lose my memory
I'm elated
Medicated
Lord knows I tried to find a way to run away
I think they found another cure
For broken hearts and feeling insecure
You'd be surprised what I endure
What make you feel self-assure?
I need to find a place to hide
You never know what could be
Waiting outside
The accidents you could find
It's like some kind of suicide
So what ails you is what impales you
I feel like I've been crucified to be satisfied
I'm a victim of my symptom
I am my own worst enemy
You're a victim of your symptom
You are your own worst enemy
Know your enemy
I'm elated
Medicated
I am my own worst enemy
So what ails you is what impales you
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy
You're a victim of the system
You are your own worst enemy
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To me, this song is a response to Know Your Enemy, which talks about how bad everything and everyone is. This song on the other hand says 'You are your own worst enemy'. It's saying that maybe instead of complaining, you should try and make a change in the world, because just doing nothing makes YOU the problem.
@pixi666 It also sounds like to me because he is saying you are your own worst enemy, and because it also say hes got a bad disease and will go down to the pharmacy, it sounds a bit like a fight with depression.