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.
There's a place up in the mountains where no natural river flows
And a killing only makes you pass through the gates
Where they swing hard on the links and sleep in modern homes
With one they adore and a woman who they hate
The pedestrian mall is boasting and waiting to be filled
You need something for the Mrs. to adorn the windowsill
Like menus browse the windows but you don't like what you see
She might not be hungry but you'll make certain she'll eat
One shot of happy, one shot of sad
One helps you remember and one makes you forget
Everything they say is true, I never was in love with you
And if everything they say is true, I'd throw myself off cliffs for you
My future is an apple and I'm reaching for a slice
I don't care about money but having it is nice
For a couple years I'll work this job and then do what I want
But there's nothing that I really want so I guess I'm saving up
I'm living with my parents but at least I'm saving rent
They bought me a new Jetta and I didn't ask for it
She says I'm back with my old boyfriend now, what do you think of that?
I've been unhappy for so long but I think it's gonna pass
One shot of happy, one shot of sad
One helps you remember and one makes you forget
Everything they say is true, I never was in love with you
And if everything they say is true, I'd throw myself off cliffs for you
The traffic moves like two red lights on Sunday afternoon
There's one road to the city that everyone will drive
They know that life's a traffic jam but there's nothing else to do
The bumper sticker in front of me says "Jesus Loves You."
Some guy is watching me smile now through his rear view
Thinks I'm headed to Denver but I'm just passing through
And a killing only makes you pass through the gates
Where they swing hard on the links and sleep in modern homes
With one they adore and a woman who they hate
The pedestrian mall is boasting and waiting to be filled
You need something for the Mrs. to adorn the windowsill
Like menus browse the windows but you don't like what you see
She might not be hungry but you'll make certain she'll eat
One shot of happy, one shot of sad
One helps you remember and one makes you forget
Everything they say is true, I never was in love with you
And if everything they say is true, I'd throw myself off cliffs for you
My future is an apple and I'm reaching for a slice
I don't care about money but having it is nice
For a couple years I'll work this job and then do what I want
But there's nothing that I really want so I guess I'm saving up
I'm living with my parents but at least I'm saving rent
They bought me a new Jetta and I didn't ask for it
She says I'm back with my old boyfriend now, what do you think of that?
I've been unhappy for so long but I think it's gonna pass
One shot of happy, one shot of sad
One helps you remember and one makes you forget
Everything they say is true, I never was in love with you
And if everything they say is true, I'd throw myself off cliffs for you
The traffic moves like two red lights on Sunday afternoon
There's one road to the city that everyone will drive
They know that life's a traffic jam but there's nothing else to do
The bumper sticker in front of me says "Jesus Loves You."
Some guy is watching me smile now through his rear view
Thinks I'm headed to Denver but I'm just passing through
Lyrics submitted by mightypotato
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