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.
Oh my goodness! Look what they sendin through nowadays
Ah it's a light weight
And he got a smirk on his face like it's all of that
Yeah well we gone see what it is
What you in for everything under the sun
Recently got me first degree wit a hot gun
That's my third strike so Xzibit can't go home
Fight to see Daylight like Sylvester Stallone
Don't ask too many questions nigga, keep that on the d-low
My family might mistake you for an undercover see-O
Last one that tried didn't make it past bookin
Five times in the neck when everybody was lookin
You see the judge, but he don't budge
That's you're third felony, I believe strike three
Remanded and stranded, to the cold steel granite
Lost to the world, your moms and your girl
Keep your weight up, or your ass get ate up
Cats is stickin, straight up
Wit the shank, get more time in the tank
Ask Hank, he bout to bank, killed a cop wit high rank
They gave him life and now another cat is fuckin his wife
Just because I'm locked down don't mean the hustlin stop
Her-oine and beer joints twenty dollars a pop
You a new recruit, so today I'm lettin you slide
But tomorrow you'll be confronted wit the two's in the side
If you a smart mothafucker, you'll be fallin wit mine
Behind bars, no bitches and cars, we only got time
We're I'm from, time is money and got neither to waste
Once in a while catch a Cannanite in the wrong place
BEAT HIM DOWN, break the strongest hand, piss in his face
Strike fear, play the rear, 'fore he catchin a case
Low-class, got a dozen free visitors pass
Plus the female see-Order want to give me some ass
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
So it's my twenty-third birthday, drinkin brew-no
You know no matter what it take, we gotta celebrate
Fuck stayin straight, hair braided by this Muslim cat
Regulate the whole yard, now we got the straps
Niggas say "Who the fuck is that?"
The X-Man, rowdy, gettin treated like the feds in the county
Correctional facilities, basically you don't want to fuck wit these
Murders and felonies keep you company ("YEAH!")
And yes y'all, come on in ("YEAH")
All you brand new heffer, sissy, soft booty-ass shook niggas ("YEAH")
Yeah bitch, welcom to central booking ("YEAH")
A sleep-over for pimps, private hustlers ("YEAH"), drug slingers, and gun clappers
Even bitch-ass, shook-ass niggas ("YEAH") like y'all
Get on your ?("YEAH"), get out the blood on your ?married character?
Kitten-ass faces ("YEAH"), niggas about to beat you all down to the last stop
I'm all good, as I telephone my hood
At first I was shook, tried to play by the book
But you can't bid your time by stayin in the cell
I'm gettin high everyday like I was still on the corner
Where I'm in fat pink caps, New York to California
Makin deals for mills, holdin cigarette lottos
Givin cats pills, and tell em "Yo try those!"
Niggas try to scheme but my team is tight
We as shady as the night and bring fright to sight
Hey you be aight, but don't act like a sucka
Ain't you ain't got to be the wildest mothafucker
Use control, put a cat in whole if he's broke
And let em know, I just want to serve my time and go
And flow, lay low, try to grab some dough
Aiyyo I ain't tryin to jail, somebody post my bail
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
Yo man shhh, I need some new kicks man
(Oh what? Oh shut the fuck up!)
Somebody got some at least some money man (Nigga what!)
Or something man, I ain't get no letters man
(You gone be my bitch tonight, what)
Niggas forgettin about me man
(I'll poke y'all, don't come on the island)
Namsayin, supposed to be my crew
(Don't be on the island when I get there)
Can't even make collect phone calls
(Mothafucker, what ah um!)
Tryin to jam my collect calls now
(You will be mines tonight mothafucker!)
Nobody ain't home, nobody want to write me (Mine you hear me!)
I ain't got nuttin to read, yaknamsayin
(You'll be mine tonight mothafucker!)
Ain't nobody put no money on my book
(Don't fall asleep tonight bitch!)
It's like I'm starvin in here
This ain't no fun
Ah it's a light weight
And he got a smirk on his face like it's all of that
Yeah well we gone see what it is
What you in for everything under the sun
Recently got me first degree wit a hot gun
That's my third strike so Xzibit can't go home
Fight to see Daylight like Sylvester Stallone
Don't ask too many questions nigga, keep that on the d-low
My family might mistake you for an undercover see-O
Last one that tried didn't make it past bookin
Five times in the neck when everybody was lookin
You see the judge, but he don't budge
That's you're third felony, I believe strike three
Remanded and stranded, to the cold steel granite
Lost to the world, your moms and your girl
Keep your weight up, or your ass get ate up
Cats is stickin, straight up
Wit the shank, get more time in the tank
Ask Hank, he bout to bank, killed a cop wit high rank
They gave him life and now another cat is fuckin his wife
Just because I'm locked down don't mean the hustlin stop
Her-oine and beer joints twenty dollars a pop
You a new recruit, so today I'm lettin you slide
But tomorrow you'll be confronted wit the two's in the side
If you a smart mothafucker, you'll be fallin wit mine
Behind bars, no bitches and cars, we only got time
We're I'm from, time is money and got neither to waste
Once in a while catch a Cannanite in the wrong place
BEAT HIM DOWN, break the strongest hand, piss in his face
Strike fear, play the rear, 'fore he catchin a case
Low-class, got a dozen free visitors pass
Plus the female see-Order want to give me some ass
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
So it's my twenty-third birthday, drinkin brew-no
You know no matter what it take, we gotta celebrate
Fuck stayin straight, hair braided by this Muslim cat
Regulate the whole yard, now we got the straps
Niggas say "Who the fuck is that?"
The X-Man, rowdy, gettin treated like the feds in the county
Correctional facilities, basically you don't want to fuck wit these
Murders and felonies keep you company ("YEAH!")
And yes y'all, come on in ("YEAH")
All you brand new heffer, sissy, soft booty-ass shook niggas ("YEAH")
Yeah bitch, welcom to central booking ("YEAH")
A sleep-over for pimps, private hustlers ("YEAH"), drug slingers, and gun clappers
Even bitch-ass, shook-ass niggas ("YEAH") like y'all
Get on your ?("YEAH"), get out the blood on your ?married character?
Kitten-ass faces ("YEAH"), niggas about to beat you all down to the last stop
I'm all good, as I telephone my hood
At first I was shook, tried to play by the book
But you can't bid your time by stayin in the cell
I'm gettin high everyday like I was still on the corner
Where I'm in fat pink caps, New York to California
Makin deals for mills, holdin cigarette lottos
Givin cats pills, and tell em "Yo try those!"
Niggas try to scheme but my team is tight
We as shady as the night and bring fright to sight
Hey you be aight, but don't act like a sucka
Ain't you ain't got to be the wildest mothafucker
Use control, put a cat in whole if he's broke
And let em know, I just want to serve my time and go
And flow, lay low, try to grab some dough
Aiyyo I ain't tryin to jail, somebody post my bail
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
This is your new home boss, where you survive at all costs
And if you don't, well it's only your loss
You're only here 'cause you tried to force and be the boss, ha
Handle your time like a man yo
Yo man shhh, I need some new kicks man
(Oh what? Oh shut the fuck up!)
Somebody got some at least some money man (Nigga what!)
Or something man, I ain't get no letters man
(You gone be my bitch tonight, what)
Niggas forgettin about me man
(I'll poke y'all, don't come on the island)
Namsayin, supposed to be my crew
(Don't be on the island when I get there)
Can't even make collect phone calls
(Mothafucker, what ah um!)
Tryin to jam my collect calls now
(You will be mines tonight mothafucker!)
Nobody ain't home, nobody want to write me (Mine you hear me!)
I ain't got nuttin to read, yaknamsayin
(You'll be mine tonight mothafucker!)
Ain't nobody put no money on my book
(Don't fall asleep tonight bitch!)
It's like I'm starvin in here
This ain't no fun
Lyrics submitted by Breakingbenjaminfan
Handle Your Time Lyrics as written by Derek Murphy Alvin Joiner
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”