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.
Made my escape just a few days ago
I don't want to tell you how low you can go
Movin' on up get a job quickly
Somthin' hit me I don't know wot it was
I want to go back this (week)
I want to go back this (week)
I want to go back this (minute)
They said I was unruly
Better get a job
I really didn't understand the meaning of the word
I tried to get an understanding with the foreman boss
He simply put me down and said I wasn't
(To be trusted)
So I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
You might think I'm a crazy fool
I want to go back to school
Man its safer in there
The world outside is so uncool
I need the money right now, I need the right job
The guys at work just needle me, they just can't get enough
I telephoned my friend, he said "same with me"
So wot are we going to do in this unearthly factory
I don't understand, how I was pushed to the brink
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
Man it's crazy out here in the 'outer' world
I want to go back to school
So I'm sitting in the dark
In my bed the other night
Thinking about my teacher
Now wasn't she right
They said you'd get a shock
Just like coming out of the womb
The world outside's enormous
There's only so much room
People kick and tear your brain
Life outside's insane
I want to go back "Hear me now!"
I really tried to work so hard
They told me scrub the floor
They kicked me like a toy
Nailed me to the door
I want to go back to school
I want to hear it, hear it
Hear the golden rule
I want to go back to school
I don't want to tell you how low you can go
Movin' on up get a job quickly
Somthin' hit me I don't know wot it was
I want to go back this (week)
I want to go back this (week)
I want to go back this (minute)
They said I was unruly
Better get a job
I really didn't understand the meaning of the word
I tried to get an understanding with the foreman boss
He simply put me down and said I wasn't
(To be trusted)
So I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
You might think I'm a crazy fool
I want to go back to school
Man its safer in there
The world outside is so uncool
I need the money right now, I need the right job
The guys at work just needle me, they just can't get enough
I telephoned my friend, he said "same with me"
So wot are we going to do in this unearthly factory
I don't understand, how I was pushed to the brink
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
I want to go back to school
Man it's crazy out here in the 'outer' world
I want to go back to school
So I'm sitting in the dark
In my bed the other night
Thinking about my teacher
Now wasn't she right
They said you'd get a shock
Just like coming out of the womb
The world outside's enormous
There's only so much room
People kick and tear your brain
Life outside's insane
I want to go back "Hear me now!"
I really tried to work so hard
They told me scrub the floor
They kicked me like a toy
Nailed me to the door
I want to go back to school
I want to hear it, hear it
Hear the golden rule
I want to go back to school
Lyrics submitted by aquarella85
Back to School Lyrics as written by S. Mannen U. Anderson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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