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 am recognizin' that the voice inside my head is urging me
To be myself and never follow someone else
Because the beat is all like voices, we all have a different kind
So just clean out all of your ears, these are my views and you will find
Man,
It's been a minute since it's been this nice out
Blue skies out, no clouds, somethin' to write down
I'll have to go home soon and try to pay the bills
If I had a nickel every time they called, I'd make a mill
But such is life and as much as I'd like it to be different
Hard work is how you make your luck in life right?
For now I sit here, sip beer and contemplate
Man, you feindin' for a smoke, I'm hopin' you can concentrate
Out in the sun I think of everything I've done wrong
Fine, I can't fit it all in one song, so
For every half truth and every broken promise
please accept these words I wrote in open honesty
I apologize for every choice I might have made
To hurt your feelings or your health or ever bothered someone else
Your style of livin' is a choice and we all wanted different kinds
So please, love all your faults, I'll do the same and we'll be fine
'Cause...
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
Well I got my rent on my mind, worry most of the time
While wasting, never spent hell-bent on the grind
Down a wishin' well fell the odd center a dime
But only, seven percent of it's supposed to be mine
I'm gettin' kinda fed up with tryin' to get ahead, that's why
Nine out of ten times I'm liable to be lyin' in bed
Instead of livin' life like I'm dead
No longer sit in the prison inside my head
I'm startin' to come to my senses, and
No longer be so defensive, and
Though it sometimes seems so senseless I get back up and go
Mm, I've been up (I've been up)
I've been down (I've been down)
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
This song is like a counseling session (woosah)
I need to channel my aggression (woosah)
I need to handle my profession
I'm the planets biggest panic striken manic-depressant
Questionin' myself as I'm sittin' right and lookin' back
Drinkin' Jack, Heinekens in both hands, crooked hat
Mr. small complex smokin' a cigarette
Like you don't know me, what the fuck you think you lookin' at?
White as the fire in my eyes like I'm evil,
It's just I'm always suspicious of new people
Self-centered lieutenant, I'm a well balanced soldier
A lie with a strategist's a chip on both shoulders
Pushed the bullshit out of my life, keep bitin' me
Spiritual enlightenment, priceless excitement
Build strength within, I'm tryin' to find space
Freedom of choice, but tryin' for blind faith
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
'Cause I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
And all my days
I've hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up, and know the way
To be myself and never follow someone else
Because the beat is all like voices, we all have a different kind
So just clean out all of your ears, these are my views and you will find
Man,
It's been a minute since it's been this nice out
Blue skies out, no clouds, somethin' to write down
I'll have to go home soon and try to pay the bills
If I had a nickel every time they called, I'd make a mill
But such is life and as much as I'd like it to be different
Hard work is how you make your luck in life right?
For now I sit here, sip beer and contemplate
Man, you feindin' for a smoke, I'm hopin' you can concentrate
Out in the sun I think of everything I've done wrong
Fine, I can't fit it all in one song, so
For every half truth and every broken promise
please accept these words I wrote in open honesty
I apologize for every choice I might have made
To hurt your feelings or your health or ever bothered someone else
Your style of livin' is a choice and we all wanted different kinds
So please, love all your faults, I'll do the same and we'll be fine
'Cause...
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
Well I got my rent on my mind, worry most of the time
While wasting, never spent hell-bent on the grind
Down a wishin' well fell the odd center a dime
But only, seven percent of it's supposed to be mine
I'm gettin' kinda fed up with tryin' to get ahead, that's why
Nine out of ten times I'm liable to be lyin' in bed
Instead of livin' life like I'm dead
No longer sit in the prison inside my head
I'm startin' to come to my senses, and
No longer be so defensive, and
Though it sometimes seems so senseless I get back up and go
Mm, I've been up (I've been up)
I've been down (I've been down)
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
This song is like a counseling session (woosah)
I need to channel my aggression (woosah)
I need to handle my profession
I'm the planets biggest panic striken manic-depressant
Questionin' myself as I'm sittin' right and lookin' back
Drinkin' Jack, Heinekens in both hands, crooked hat
Mr. small complex smokin' a cigarette
Like you don't know me, what the fuck you think you lookin' at?
White as the fire in my eyes like I'm evil,
It's just I'm always suspicious of new people
Self-centered lieutenant, I'm a well balanced soldier
A lie with a strategist's a chip on both shoulders
Pushed the bullshit out of my life, keep bitin' me
Spiritual enlightenment, priceless excitement
Build strength within, I'm tryin' to find space
Freedom of choice, but tryin' for blind faith
I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
In all my days
I hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up and know the way
'Cause I've been up
Mm, I've been down
I've been lucky enough to find my higher ground
And all my days
I've hoped and prayed
That one of these days I'll just wake up, get up, and know the way
Lyrics submitted by fivesixnine
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