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.
They tried the handcuffs but they won't lock
Electrical courses but they won't shock
You pulled the fire alarm
You tried punching a cop
You're just too tired to stop
You old pine box (You old pine box)
With your head full of rocks
Sharp like a cracked flowerpot (You old paper hat)
On your skull full of bats
There's no percentage in that
They called relations but they declined
They called the fan club but they'd resigned
Left your car in a field and some questions behind
Your mom thinks you're out of your mind
Over the falls and into the drink
The barrel breaks and we slowly sink
They tried the handcuffs but they won't lock
Electrical courses but they won't shock
You pulled the fire alarm
You tried punching a cop
You're just too tired to stop
You old pine box
Electrical courses but they won't shock
You pulled the fire alarm
You tried punching a cop
You're just too tired to stop
You old pine box (You old pine box)
With your head full of rocks
Sharp like a cracked flowerpot (You old paper hat)
On your skull full of bats
There's no percentage in that
They called relations but they declined
They called the fan club but they'd resigned
Left your car in a field and some questions behind
Your mom thinks you're out of your mind
Over the falls and into the drink
The barrel breaks and we slowly sink
They tried the handcuffs but they won't lock
Electrical courses but they won't shock
You pulled the fire alarm
You tried punching a cop
You're just too tired to stop
You old pine box
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