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 was born in 82
about the time of the Cold War flu
born when the world was small
before we connected the zoo
look at the way we grew
dropped the borders but we kept the walls
the things we made to pull us close push us all
we hear the ring but screen the calls
so close we could almost touch
but so far we don’t speak on the bus
so close I can almost see your breath
but so far I can’t hear your words
I don’t go a day without a button pressed
the years go by in a blur
it’s the time of plenty, inbox full
so why do I feel so goddamn empty?
but look at how connected we are
the whole globe at your fingertips
speed the pace it’s an instant fix
Space Age but I feel boxed in
and it’s wide open
and I’m dying to know
why I feel disconnected
am I dreaming demons, alienated
or do I just get what I expected?
they say it’s greed that keeps people turning
feeds the lonely and the beasts of burden
East of Eden but at least we’re earning
the ice is melting and the trees are burning
reporters all say it’s all but lost
and all we can do is watch
so I walk with my shoulders dropped
watch these blocks stack up with stores
is this what we’re working for?
filling that hole with goods, what’s good?
but the chokehold ain’t local no more
it’s global and closing its doors
it ain’t about right or wrong
what side you’re on
but the things we traded
how many sights for many sights
how is your life?
I was born in 82 but I live in 2000 and now
all the things I thought I knew
turns out they were never around
and all the people I met today
well, they all the same feeling that emptiness
fill it up with Fendi till the trendiness fades
then throw that thing away
I want the one with the new features
until the next one out then
bury it a little deeper
add on to that man-made mountain
you could have it all, the campaign touting
the cars and the champagne fountain
but that pool’s only deep enough to sink
but these fools don’t even stop to think
they just want that bubbly
now they spilling on you
ain’t that lovely?
what a mess since they jumped in
now they scream save me, save me to the public
but we barely know the subject
we’re all out doing for us
in so far, so far in fact
so near so packed we don’t speak on the bus
loss of love, loss of mind
loss of love, loss of mind
running out of time
loss of love, loss of mind
loss of love, loss of mind
damn near out of time
about the time of the Cold War flu
born when the world was small
before we connected the zoo
look at the way we grew
dropped the borders but we kept the walls
the things we made to pull us close push us all
we hear the ring but screen the calls
so close we could almost touch
but so far we don’t speak on the bus
so close I can almost see your breath
but so far I can’t hear your words
I don’t go a day without a button pressed
the years go by in a blur
it’s the time of plenty, inbox full
so why do I feel so goddamn empty?
but look at how connected we are
the whole globe at your fingertips
speed the pace it’s an instant fix
Space Age but I feel boxed in
and it’s wide open
and I’m dying to know
why I feel disconnected
am I dreaming demons, alienated
or do I just get what I expected?
they say it’s greed that keeps people turning
feeds the lonely and the beasts of burden
East of Eden but at least we’re earning
the ice is melting and the trees are burning
reporters all say it’s all but lost
and all we can do is watch
so I walk with my shoulders dropped
watch these blocks stack up with stores
is this what we’re working for?
filling that hole with goods, what’s good?
but the chokehold ain’t local no more
it’s global and closing its doors
it ain’t about right or wrong
what side you’re on
but the things we traded
how many sights for many sights
how is your life?
I was born in 82 but I live in 2000 and now
all the things I thought I knew
turns out they were never around
and all the people I met today
well, they all the same feeling that emptiness
fill it up with Fendi till the trendiness fades
then throw that thing away
I want the one with the new features
until the next one out then
bury it a little deeper
add on to that man-made mountain
you could have it all, the campaign touting
the cars and the champagne fountain
but that pool’s only deep enough to sink
but these fools don’t even stop to think
they just want that bubbly
now they spilling on you
ain’t that lovely?
what a mess since they jumped in
now they scream save me, save me to the public
but we barely know the subject
we’re all out doing for us
in so far, so far in fact
so near so packed we don’t speak on the bus
loss of love, loss of mind
loss of love, loss of mind
running out of time
loss of love, loss of mind
loss of love, loss of mind
damn near out of time
Lyrics submitted by aaron_kaump
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