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.
Hello elevator, take me to the very bottom
I wanna be where the sin happens
I won’t feel guilty for the whiskey that I am drinking
I won’t feel guilty for the thoughts that I am thinking
I’ll be bumping hips with all the dirty hipster kids
‘Cause godliness ain’t always clean
I’ve seen the lights go out on old Virginia St. and
This city just ain’t as it seems
This city just ain’t as it seems
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
CHORUS:
You hold on to the glitz and the glitzy
But your children give in to the grit and the gritty
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Hello slot machine, I wouldn’t put a penny in you
I’ve got better risks to take
I wish you luck with the bets that you are making
But I feel weary about the wealth your friends are faking
I’ll paint pictures on the walls of my rented home
To remind me that we’re not the same
We’ll throw parties with music, booze and laughter
And nobody there will complain
It wouldn’t help to complain
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
CHORUS
We all drink from the same clouds
It’s just we’ve got a different cup
Let’s show them that we don’t need any help
Head to the sky and open up
Reno, your children are cooler than you
I wanna be where the sin happens
I won’t feel guilty for the whiskey that I am drinking
I won’t feel guilty for the thoughts that I am thinking
I’ll be bumping hips with all the dirty hipster kids
‘Cause godliness ain’t always clean
I’ve seen the lights go out on old Virginia St. and
This city just ain’t as it seems
This city just ain’t as it seems
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
CHORUS:
You hold on to the glitz and the glitzy
But your children give in to the grit and the gritty
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Hello slot machine, I wouldn’t put a penny in you
I’ve got better risks to take
I wish you luck with the bets that you are making
But I feel weary about the wealth your friends are faking
I’ll paint pictures on the walls of my rented home
To remind me that we’re not the same
We’ll throw parties with music, booze and laughter
And nobody there will complain
It wouldn’t help to complain
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Reno, your children are cooler than you
CHORUS
We all drink from the same clouds
It’s just we’ve got a different cup
Let’s show them that we don’t need any help
Head to the sky and open up
Reno, your children are cooler than you
Lyrics submitted by mattyharm
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