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.
You took my peaches and
Cut down my tree
Tore up my garden
Then you sold it all back to me
Look out my window and
What do I see
One more ugly billboard
Blocking out the scenery
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
I ran into a rich man's son
And he was selling me a life of crime
I told him it sounds like fun
But I didn't want to do the time
Chalk it up human nature
Blame it on greedy eyes
Promise me you won't turn the water
Into a great big river of wine
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it away
Gimme back my freedom
Well her what I gotta say
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
Woke up this morning
The telephone starts to ring
I held it up close to my ear
But I can't hear a single thing
A voice started talkin'
About things I can't believe
I said if I don't already have it
It's probably something I don't need
Gimme back my freedom
Why you wanna take it away
Gimme back my freedom
Yeah, hear what I gotta say
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
Cut down my tree
Tore up my garden
Then you sold it all back to me
Look out my window and
What do I see
One more ugly billboard
Blocking out the scenery
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
I ran into a rich man's son
And he was selling me a life of crime
I told him it sounds like fun
But I didn't want to do the time
Chalk it up human nature
Blame it on greedy eyes
Promise me you won't turn the water
Into a great big river of wine
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it away
Gimme back my freedom
Well her what I gotta say
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
Woke up this morning
The telephone starts to ring
I held it up close to my ear
But I can't hear a single thing
A voice started talkin'
About things I can't believe
I said if I don't already have it
It's probably something I don't need
Gimme back my freedom
Why you wanna take it away
Gimme back my freedom
Yeah, hear what I gotta say
Gimme back my freedom
Why you tryin' to take it from me
Gimme back my freedom
Well why can't you let it be
Lyrics submitted by alterEgo
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