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.
When I'm alone
And you&'re away
I just close my eyes
And I drift away
Your warm body
Is what I'm without
I just close my eyes
And I dream about
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(When I'm without)
Pretty boys
(I dream about)
Pretty girls
Stranges in the night
Exchanging glances
But sex is dangerous
I don't take my chances
The boys I meet
Say I look lonely
But I just walk on my
Because they're only
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(when I'm without)
Pretty boys
(I dream about)
Pretty girls
In this day and age
In a city full of fear
With you by my side
Together we can show we care
Spreading joy to the world
To every boy and every girl
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(what will we show?)
Spreading joy
(where will it go?)
To the world
And you&'re away
I just close my eyes
And I drift away
Your warm body
Is what I'm without
I just close my eyes
And I dream about
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(When I'm without)
Pretty boys
(I dream about)
Pretty girls
Stranges in the night
Exchanging glances
But sex is dangerous
I don't take my chances
The boys I meet
Say I look lonely
But I just walk on my
Because they're only
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(when I'm without)
Pretty boys
(I dream about)
Pretty girls
In this day and age
In a city full of fear
With you by my side
Together we can show we care
Spreading joy to the world
To every boy and every girl
Pretty boys and pretty girls
Pretty boys and pretty girls
(what will we show?)
Spreading joy
(where will it go?)
To the world
Lyrics submitted by Foobar, edited by HerNameIsAlive
Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls Lyrics as written by Theodore Joseph Ottaviano
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
This song is about bisexuality and the AIDS epidemic