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.
Hey, slow it down, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah, I'm afraid, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
There might have been a time when I would give myself away
Oh, once upon a time, I didn't give a damn
But now, here we are, so whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Just don't give up, I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah, it's plain to see (plain to see)
That baby you're beautiful
And there's nothing wrong with you (Nothing wrong with you)
It's me, I'm a freak (yeah)
But thanks for lovin' me
'Cause you're doing it perfectly (Oh, perfectly)
There might have been a time when I would let you slip away
I wouldn't even try, but I think you could save my life
Just don't give up, I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep comin around
Hey, whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Just don't give up on me
I won't let you down
No, I won't let you down
So, oh, just don't give up
I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up (He messed me up)
Need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Just don't give up, I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah, I'm afraid, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
There might have been a time when I would give myself away
Oh, once upon a time, I didn't give a damn
But now, here we are, so whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Just don't give up, I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Whataya want from me
Yeah, it's plain to see (plain to see)
That baby you're beautiful
And there's nothing wrong with you (Nothing wrong with you)
It's me, I'm a freak (yeah)
But thanks for lovin' me
'Cause you're doing it perfectly (Oh, perfectly)
There might have been a time when I would let you slip away
I wouldn't even try, but I think you could save my life
Just don't give up, I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep comin around
Hey, whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Just don't give up on me
I won't let you down
No, I won't let you down
So, oh, just don't give up
I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up (He messed me up)
Need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me
Just don't give up, I'm workin' it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down
He messed me up, need a second to breathe
Just keep coming around
Hey, whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me (Whataya want from me)
Whataya want from me
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Eee i love this song, not quite sure why it didn't make the cut for Funhouse, i would've loved to see this live:D