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.
I starred in every high school play
Blew every drama teacher away
Graduated first in my class at Julliard
Took every acting workshop I could
And I dreamed of Hollywood
While I read my Uta Hagen, and studied the Bard
Hit the boards and paid my dues
And got phenomenal rave reviews
I knew the world was gonna love me, without a doubt
I was sure that Tarantino would be calling me on my phone
Annie Liebowitz would shoot me for Rolling Stone
But the years have come and gone and I'm sorry to say
That's not the way that it's all worked out
I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Just like they've done for the last 50 years
Now I'm laughing at my own jokes, but I'm crying inside
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
Oh the critics they used to say, I was the new Olivier
Thought I'd be the toast of Sundance, or maybe Cannes
Ah, but don't bother trying to IMDB me
The only place you might possibly see me
Is riding my little boat around Adventureland
It ain't exactly what I planned but
I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
I would've killed if I'd been in Speed-the-Plow
But what's the difference that's all behind me now
'Cause I'm paying the rent and I'm swallowing my pride
And I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
I should be there on Broadway,
Knocking 'em dead in 12 Angry Men
But instead I'm here telling these lame jokes
Again, and again, and again, and again,
And again, and again, and again
(Bengal tigers can jump over 20 feet)
(That's an African Bull-Elephant)
(There it is, the backside of water)
(What have I done with my life?)
I should've listened when my Grandfather said
Why don't you major in business instead?
Now my hopes have all vanished and my dreams have all died
And I'll probably work forever as a
Tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Somebody shoot me 'cause I'm bored to tears
Always said I'd be famous, I guess that I lied
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
I'm still working on the Jungle Cruise ride
Blew every drama teacher away
Graduated first in my class at Julliard
Took every acting workshop I could
And I dreamed of Hollywood
While I read my Uta Hagen, and studied the Bard
Hit the boards and paid my dues
And got phenomenal rave reviews
I knew the world was gonna love me, without a doubt
I was sure that Tarantino would be calling me on my phone
Annie Liebowitz would shoot me for Rolling Stone
But the years have come and gone and I'm sorry to say
That's not the way that it's all worked out
I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Just like they've done for the last 50 years
Now I'm laughing at my own jokes, but I'm crying inside
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
Oh the critics they used to say, I was the new Olivier
Thought I'd be the toast of Sundance, or maybe Cannes
Ah, but don't bother trying to IMDB me
The only place you might possibly see me
Is riding my little boat around Adventureland
It ain't exactly what I planned but
I'm a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
I would've killed if I'd been in Speed-the-Plow
But what's the difference that's all behind me now
'Cause I'm paying the rent and I'm swallowing my pride
And I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
I should be there on Broadway,
Knocking 'em dead in 12 Angry Men
But instead I'm here telling these lame jokes
Again, and again, and again, and again,
And again, and again, and again
(Bengal tigers can jump over 20 feet)
(That's an African Bull-Elephant)
(There it is, the backside of water)
(What have I done with my life?)
I should've listened when my Grandfather said
Why don't you major in business instead?
Now my hopes have all vanished and my dreams have all died
And I'll probably work forever as a
Tour guide on the Jungle Cruise ride
Skipper Dan is the name
And I'm doing 34 shows every day
And every time it's the same
Look at those hippos, they're wiggling their ears
Somebody shoot me 'cause I'm bored to tears
Always said I'd be famous, I guess that I lied
'Cause I'm working on the Jungle Cruise ride
I'm still working on the Jungle Cruise ride
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I have to disagree with TOURDEBABEL, I think the song is kind of uplifting. At least my life isn't as bad as Skipper Dan's. Someone else has a worse, no-where job than me!