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.
If I was an old man and gave you my company
I might find a friendship in your love of novelty
Or if I was much younger, around the age of twelve
You'd take me in and find a bit of child in yourself
But perhaps I only serve as a reminder of the truth
That not everyone is beautiful or revels in their youth
And while no one will admit it, we all feel it in our gut
That while all the pieces fit so nicely all I do is
Jut
Jut
There are certain givens in this world that you can always trust
That will follow all the standards that the TV sets for us
The hope that all our sparkles show the world what we're about
But that light reflects asymmetrically when there's something sticking out
And now I try to take into account my old proclivity
To think the people that I envy waste their time and hated me
And I know that to a fault some hope my mind is long since shut
But that filthy stupid factory means that all I do is
Jut
Jut
Like a sore thumb
Like a sore thumb
Now I'm a tolerable person, by now I'm sure you've found
You can have a beer with me if there's no one else around
But I will understand if when your real friends arrive
You excuse yourself politely and pretend I'm not alive
But I could be a great companion and a true friend to you all
But no one responds to questions or will answer when I call
Oh how much I'd love to reach out, pull myself out of this rut
But your averted gaze confirms that all I do is
Jut
Jut
Like a sore thumb
Like a sore thumb
I might find a friendship in your love of novelty
Or if I was much younger, around the age of twelve
You'd take me in and find a bit of child in yourself
But perhaps I only serve as a reminder of the truth
That not everyone is beautiful or revels in their youth
And while no one will admit it, we all feel it in our gut
That while all the pieces fit so nicely all I do is
Jut
Jut
There are certain givens in this world that you can always trust
That will follow all the standards that the TV sets for us
The hope that all our sparkles show the world what we're about
But that light reflects asymmetrically when there's something sticking out
And now I try to take into account my old proclivity
To think the people that I envy waste their time and hated me
And I know that to a fault some hope my mind is long since shut
But that filthy stupid factory means that all I do is
Jut
Jut
Like a sore thumb
Like a sore thumb
Now I'm a tolerable person, by now I'm sure you've found
You can have a beer with me if there's no one else around
But I will understand if when your real friends arrive
You excuse yourself politely and pretend I'm not alive
But I could be a great companion and a true friend to you all
But no one responds to questions or will answer when I call
Oh how much I'd love to reach out, pull myself out of this rut
But your averted gaze confirms that all I do is
Jut
Jut
Like a sore thumb
Like a sore thumb
Lyrics submitted by Hobbledehoy
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