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.
Cash Roseanne
King's record shop
Rosie strike back
He's a bruiser, he likes to tease you
He's a loser, you think he needs you
You always come back, you always come back for more
He winds up tight, out all night
Been drinkin' down he's looking for a fight
He knocks you down; you don't even know what for
[Chorus]
Rosie strike back
Rosie strike back
Hit the road and never look back
You can't suffer your whole life living like that
Get goin', don't pack
Take the baby and the clothes on your back
Keep walking Rosie
Strike back
You think he's changin', weeks pass
He's angry, lies coiled like a snake in the grass
The time will come when he takes it all out on you
He throws punches, you bear with him
Don't take it on you, Rosie, don't be his victim
You can't carry the blame for what he's puttin' you through
[Chorus]
Don't take his world on your shoulder
Don't let your heart grow much colder
There's people out there who can help you
If you let them help you
Hey, Rosie
Keep walking, Rosie
[Chorus]
King's record shop
Rosie strike back
He's a bruiser, he likes to tease you
He's a loser, you think he needs you
You always come back, you always come back for more
He winds up tight, out all night
Been drinkin' down he's looking for a fight
He knocks you down; you don't even know what for
[Chorus]
Rosie strike back
Rosie strike back
Hit the road and never look back
You can't suffer your whole life living like that
Get goin', don't pack
Take the baby and the clothes on your back
Keep walking Rosie
Strike back
You think he's changin', weeks pass
He's angry, lies coiled like a snake in the grass
The time will come when he takes it all out on you
He throws punches, you bear with him
Don't take it on you, Rosie, don't be his victim
You can't carry the blame for what he's puttin' you through
[Chorus]
Don't take his world on your shoulder
Don't let your heart grow much colder
There's people out there who can help you
If you let them help you
Hey, Rosie
Keep walking, Rosie
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Rosie Strike Back Lyrics as written by Eliza Huntington Gilkyson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.