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.
Got my head on my shoulders, my feet on the ground
To keep from breakin' out of this blues side of town
If you have to know....do you have to know
I've been too far up, too far down, if you have to know
They went and locked me up....for 47 days
Wouldn't let me out and I wouldn't change my ways
If you have to know....do you want to know
I take what I get and I play where I stay....if you have to know
I'm a runaway engine on a midnight line
No destination and no track of time
Ain't worried about yours, don't worry about mine
If you have to know....since you have to know
Well too many bars and too many nights
Too many lefts and not enough rights
If you have to know....do you have to know
I'm the last one to leave and the first one to fight
If you have to know
Got a whole lot of women....a whole lot of beer
Half outta whiskey and flat out of (Chester)fields
If you have to know....do you have to know
I got some kinda deal but it's all up to you
If you have to know
To keep from breakin' out of this blues side of town
If you have to know....do you have to know
I've been too far up, too far down, if you have to know
They went and locked me up....for 47 days
Wouldn't let me out and I wouldn't change my ways
If you have to know....do you want to know
I take what I get and I play where I stay....if you have to know
I'm a runaway engine on a midnight line
No destination and no track of time
Ain't worried about yours, don't worry about mine
If you have to know....since you have to know
Well too many bars and too many nights
Too many lefts and not enough rights
If you have to know....do you have to know
I'm the last one to leave and the first one to fight
If you have to know
Got a whole lot of women....a whole lot of beer
Half outta whiskey and flat out of (Chester)fields
If you have to know....do you have to know
I got some kinda deal but it's all up to you
If you have to know
Lyrics submitted by TheDirge
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