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.
You were lookin' at your mother
So you went and told your father
Daddy don't say nothin' he's got plenty in his past
Changed your way of thinkin'
So you started drinkin'
And you got arrested for drivin' blind
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, it's a fact, take the rap
It was lined up on the mirror
And you just started shavin'
Didn't know what you were smokin'
Cigarette came from a friend
Judge said you're delinquent
You don't want to think it
So you put your head down, started servin' time
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, take the rap
Tried to talkbut I got nothin' to prove--why you want to?
Tried to run they took away my shoes--why you want to?
Why you want me to take the rap?
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, take the rap
Well your damned if iron bars'll
Keep you rottin' in a prison
Hell is lookin' better 'cause you'll
Never get to heaven
See your chance and take it
Sure you're gonna make it
You're prepared to take it 'cause you're never gonna...
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, it's a fact, take the rap
So you went and told your father
Daddy don't say nothin' he's got plenty in his past
Changed your way of thinkin'
So you started drinkin'
And you got arrested for drivin' blind
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, it's a fact, take the rap
It was lined up on the mirror
And you just started shavin'
Didn't know what you were smokin'
Cigarette came from a friend
Judge said you're delinquent
You don't want to think it
So you put your head down, started servin' time
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, take the rap
Tried to talkbut I got nothin' to prove--why you want to?
Tried to run they took away my shoes--why you want to?
Why you want me to take the rap?
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, take the rap
Well your damned if iron bars'll
Keep you rottin' in a prison
Hell is lookin' better 'cause you'll
Never get to heaven
See your chance and take it
Sure you're gonna make it
You're prepared to take it 'cause you're never gonna...
Take the rap, take the rap
It's gonna break your back, it's a fact, take the rap
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Take the Rap Lyrics as written by Dan Mccafferty (non Mountain Title Billy Rankin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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