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.
Will you tell me once again
How we're gonna be just friends?
If you're for real and not pretend
Then I guess you can hang with me
When my patience wearing thin
When I'm ready to give in
Will you pick me up again?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
Oh, you can hang with me
When you see me drift astray
Out of touch and out of place
Will you tell me to my face?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
Will you tell me once again
How we're gonna be just friends?
If you're for real and not pretend
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
Don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
We can do whatever
If you hang with me
Don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
How we're gonna be just friends?
If you're for real and not pretend
Then I guess you can hang with me
When my patience wearing thin
When I'm ready to give in
Will you pick me up again?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
Oh, you can hang with me
When you see me drift astray
Out of touch and out of place
Will you tell me to my face?
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
Will you tell me once again
How we're gonna be just friends?
If you're for real and not pretend
Then I guess you can hang with me
And if you do me right
I'm gonna do right by you
And if you keep it tight
I'm gonna confide in you
I know what's on your mind
There will be time for that too
If you hang with me
Just don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
Don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
We can do whatever
If you hang with me
Don't fall recklessly, heedlessly in love with me
'Cause it's gonna be
All heartbreak, blissfully painful insanity
If we agree
You can hang with me
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idk, it seems that she doesn't want anything serious, so she's afraid she might hurt his feelings or som', so she's telling him already not to expect love... 'cause if he does fall in love she won't be able to love him back. so she tries to makeit clear that they will be just friends... :)
I actually kind of went through this. In my situation I was scared of giving him a chance even though I was totally head over heels for him. I guess I just got scared off by something that could've been great and didn't give it chance. I moved to another city for a job but we remained friends and we're both dating other people. I guess it doesn't matter now but I wished him well and hoped he found what he was looking for.
ohmygod, i can't believe only one person commented on this. this is such a beautiful song. the acoustic version is so much better than the original.
i think that she is afraid to fall in love, so she tells this guy (probably a close friend) that they can hang out and there will be 'benefits', but she is warning him not to fall in love with her. maybe she has had really bad experiences in the past with a relationship and she just wants a relationship with this guy, just without all of the complications. <3
I think its about a forbidden relationship. Possibly one person is romantically involved with someone else. She is saying she is happy to be friends, but they both know it can't go any further than that. Really they are perfect for each other but it can't work.