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.
How've you been?
Can I come in?
Just came to get my things and then I guess I'm leaving
If I could say
What you'd like to hear
I'd whisper in your ear it's only temporary
But I've been taking you for granted
And I thought you'd feel the same as me
It's time that I come clean, but
But for now can we
Just both pretend to sleep
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
You should know me by now
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than
I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
Our talk is small, I'm seven inches tall
And you should keep the apartment
So here's my keys
Changed all the bills
We're only built to spill and wonder where the heart went
And you've been taking me for granted
And I thought you'd feel the same as me
It's time that I come clean, but
But for now can we
Just both pretend to sleep
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
You should know me by now
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
I know that I remember you
I think that you remember me too
How can one of us still feel blessed when the other one's lost
I know you've got to feel the change
It just stays worse when it stays the same
How can one of us
Still feel blessed when the other one's so lost
By now
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
Don't you know me by now?
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
Can I come in?
Just came to get my things and then I guess I'm leaving
If I could say
What you'd like to hear
I'd whisper in your ear it's only temporary
But I've been taking you for granted
And I thought you'd feel the same as me
It's time that I come clean, but
But for now can we
Just both pretend to sleep
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
You should know me by now
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than
I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
Our talk is small, I'm seven inches tall
And you should keep the apartment
So here's my keys
Changed all the bills
We're only built to spill and wonder where the heart went
And you've been taking me for granted
And I thought you'd feel the same as me
It's time that I come clean, but
But for now can we
Just both pretend to sleep
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
You should know me by now
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
I know that I remember you
I think that you remember me too
How can one of us still feel blessed when the other one's lost
I know you've got to feel the change
It just stays worse when it stays the same
How can one of us
Still feel blessed when the other one's so lost
By now
Sometimes the one you want is not the one you need
What goes around don't come around
Don't you know me by now?
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, I should know you as well
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, better than
You should know me
Better than, you should know me by now
Lyrics submitted by PetiteGrenouille, edited by kaycupcake
By Now Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
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