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.
It's April 21st and everybody knows today is Earth Day
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday to whoever's being born
And now I'm trying hard to think of something
meaningful and worthy, kind of earthy
to make everybody ask themselves just
What are we doing here?
and what are we doing to her?
I don't know
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
2041, the world is gonna end, I've got the message
from a tiny little man who only said that he'd been sent
I'm not a protest singer, I can't write a song to send a message
but it seems to me that this message needed to be sent
What are we doing here?
and what are we doing to her?
I don't know
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday to whoever's being born
And now I'm trying hard to think of something
meaningful and worthy, kind of earthy
to make everybody ask themselves just
What are we doing here?
and what are we doing to her?
I don't know
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
2041, the world is gonna end, I've got the message
from a tiny little man who only said that he'd been sent
I'm not a protest singer, I can't write a song to send a message
but it seems to me that this message needed to be sent
What are we doing here?
and what are we doing to her?
I don't know
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
What are we gonna do?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
What Are We Gonna Do? Lyrics as written by John Mills Easdale
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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