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.
Like I’m sure you’ve read, don’t trust a broken hearted fool
Challenge them in love; they’ll never play fair by the rules
At this game with hearts, you think your gonna win
Because you’ll never see a perfect site to sin
Looking past his scars, oh hesitation, hello friend
Moving in much closer, stupid girl, try to get in
Now you’re broken just the same, by self request
Now I guess it’s easy to just hate me, go ahead and be my guest
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
Oh…
And, oh, so ignore me, yes ignore me
Put a bounty on my head
Am I worth more to you still alive or lying down half dead?
Cos a broken heart won’t be the same, but still keeps me alive
So stab my back, I know you can’t, revenge can see both sides
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
And now you’re undercover, but you can’t run from your head
I tell them that you hate me; I’m a needle to your thread
It wraps its way around your heart, but it’s strong as it seems
So wipe that stupid look right off your less than pretty face
I love the way you look at me, when I start…
When I start la-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haa…
When I start laughing ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-haa…
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
Ah ha ha ha ha ha haa
Challenge them in love; they’ll never play fair by the rules
At this game with hearts, you think your gonna win
Because you’ll never see a perfect site to sin
Looking past his scars, oh hesitation, hello friend
Moving in much closer, stupid girl, try to get in
Now you’re broken just the same, by self request
Now I guess it’s easy to just hate me, go ahead and be my guest
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
Oh…
And, oh, so ignore me, yes ignore me
Put a bounty on my head
Am I worth more to you still alive or lying down half dead?
Cos a broken heart won’t be the same, but still keeps me alive
So stab my back, I know you can’t, revenge can see both sides
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
And now you’re undercover, but you can’t run from your head
I tell them that you hate me; I’m a needle to your thread
It wraps its way around your heart, but it’s strong as it seems
So wipe that stupid look right off your less than pretty face
I love the way you look at me, when I start…
When I start la-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haa…
When I start laughing ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-haa…
Like the day you’ll say no more
You hate me cos you love me more
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
That’s why you act the way you do
I never fell in love with you
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
I grabbed into your heart and took a little piece for me
Ah ha ha ha ha ha haa
Lyrics submitted by IllyriaX
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Great version of a great song,