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.
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
But I'm about to tear this whole place down
Frankie fell from a shooting star
He landed somewhere over America
Hit his head and fell into a dream
He couldn't believe what he had seen
As he stood and stared at the TV screen
He thought "this doesn't seem quite right with me"
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Frankie didn't like the sound
Of the rich and famous talking down
To someone, to make them feel small
And as he watched with his own eyes
He then began to realise
It all seems to be egos in control
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Then he had a masterplan
He'd take them down for the good of man
As he got his number and fell into line
Frankie well he made his way
Through the curtains to the stage
He's gonna make the bastards pay this time
He said
"My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker"
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer (Repeat)
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
But I'm about to tear this whole place down
Frankie fell from a shooting star
He landed somewhere over America
Hit his head and fell into a dream
He couldn't believe what he had seen
As he stood and stared at the TV screen
He thought "this doesn't seem quite right with me"
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Frankie didn't like the sound
Of the rich and famous talking down
To someone, to make them feel small
And as he watched with his own eyes
He then began to realise
It all seems to be egos in control
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Then he had a masterplan
He'd take them down for the good of man
As he got his number and fell into line
Frankie well he made his way
Through the curtains to the stage
He's gonna make the bastards pay this time
He said
"My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker"
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
Oh no, the music used to go around on stereo
Keeping with the flow
And nobody seems to listen anymore
Nobody seems to care
Then it all goes wrong
They release another song
Exactly like the other one
But is it quite as strong?
You can like what you like
But don't get me wrong
Nobody seems to care
My name's Frankie
I'm a thinker
Not a dancer, not a singer (Repeat)
Lyrics submitted by simonquine
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