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, well
An easy life
I never wanted
We agree
Had it all, worked out I see
Is there a way that we could skip this part?
Because one time when I lose someone
They just wanted to cry for me
All my life I guess I'm down with that
It might be worth it
All I say is
It's too much work, work, working
Just too much work for me
It's too much work, work, working
Just too much work for me
And so
I saw you running on
I always knew you wouldn't come up with it
And I always, always look forward
That you wouldn't, wouldn't come up with it
And you're just, just a big talker
I'm like you
And well don't, don't worry about it now
I really love when someone talks back to me
Even though it's work, work, work, yeah
Whoa it's too much work for me
It's too much work, work, working
Just so much work for me
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
And I guess there's a lot to learn
Well from a life of very fast days
Yes and I guess there's a lot to learn
All from a life of take-what-you-want days
Oh, well me, well I just don't know
I'm just a preacher not a spiritual role
Oh well come on, just figure it out with me
Even though I know it's so
So much work, work, work, yeah
Just so much work for us
So much work, work, working
Just so much work for us
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
I tell 'em straight up
Yeah I'll do it, but I shouldn't have to
Tell 'em straight up, yeah
I'll do it but I shouldn't have to
Tell 'em straight up
Yo, I'll do it, I shouldn't have to
So much work, work, work, yeah
Yo, it's too much work for me
That too much work, work, work, yeah
Whoa so much work for me
Far too much work, work, work, yeah
Whoa so much work for me
An easy life
I never wanted
We agree
Had it all, worked out I see
Is there a way that we could skip this part?
Because one time when I lose someone
They just wanted to cry for me
All my life I guess I'm down with that
It might be worth it
All I say is
It's too much work, work, working
Just too much work for me
It's too much work, work, working
Just too much work for me
And so
I saw you running on
I always knew you wouldn't come up with it
And I always, always look forward
That you wouldn't, wouldn't come up with it
And you're just, just a big talker
I'm like you
And well don't, don't worry about it now
I really love when someone talks back to me
Even though it's work, work, work, yeah
Whoa it's too much work for me
It's too much work, work, working
Just so much work for me
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
It's too much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
And I guess there's a lot to learn
Well from a life of very fast days
Yes and I guess there's a lot to learn
All from a life of take-what-you-want days
Oh, well me, well I just don't know
I'm just a preacher not a spiritual role
Oh well come on, just figure it out with me
Even though I know it's so
So much work, work, work, yeah
Just so much work for us
So much work, work, working
Just so much work for us
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
So much work, work, work
Uh-oh uh-oh
I tell 'em straight up
Yeah I'll do it, but I shouldn't have to
Tell 'em straight up, yeah
I'll do it but I shouldn't have to
Tell 'em straight up
Yo, I'll do it, I shouldn't have to
So much work, work, work, yeah
Yo, it's too much work for me
That too much work, work, work, yeah
Whoa so much work for me
Far too much work, work, work, yeah
Whoa so much work for me
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
hey everyone, although the lyrics seem simple, i dont really know what they are about. My mothertounge isnt english, so thats maybe the reason ;) Do you think it's about 'work' in a realtionship? About a breakig-up? Or about 'work' in the whole life? Especially this lines:
Maybe I'm to close to the text;) I'm looking forward for an answer/new ideas :)