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.
I'm a man, don't you forget it, I'm not a little kid
Understand, you might regret it, treating me the way you did
Hey old man, shut your mouth and listen, this here's the new regime
I command, you could go missin', you could be off the scene
(I'm not here to pray) I'm not here to pray
(So papa don't say) so papa don't say, I'm not ready
'Cause the hands feel so steady, take the reins
We got a team, we got the muscle, when things are getting tight
Will there seem, if there's a hustle, money changes every fight?
Look at me, you will discover, I'm not my father's son
You will see, when you recover, I'm mama's only one
(Look straight in my eye) look me in the eye
(Try to deny) try to deny, I'm not ready
But these hands feel so sturdy, oh, take the reins
(Take the reins)
(I'm sure in your game) I know that in your game
(You were okay) you were okay, that's behind us
Oh, Louise, is it vengeless?
Oh, take the reins
I'm a man, I'm not a little kid
Why, I understand
Shut your mouth and listen
Ah, and don't work out a new regime
Yeah, I got a team
Yeah, take the reins
I'm mama's only one
Ah, take the reins
Understand, you might regret it, treating me the way you did
Hey old man, shut your mouth and listen, this here's the new regime
I command, you could go missin', you could be off the scene
(I'm not here to pray) I'm not here to pray
(So papa don't say) so papa don't say, I'm not ready
'Cause the hands feel so steady, take the reins
We got a team, we got the muscle, when things are getting tight
Will there seem, if there's a hustle, money changes every fight?
Look at me, you will discover, I'm not my father's son
You will see, when you recover, I'm mama's only one
(Look straight in my eye) look me in the eye
(Try to deny) try to deny, I'm not ready
But these hands feel so sturdy, oh, take the reins
(Take the reins)
(I'm sure in your game) I know that in your game
(You were okay) you were okay, that's behind us
Oh, Louise, is it vengeless?
Oh, take the reins
I'm a man, I'm not a little kid
Why, I understand
Shut your mouth and listen
Ah, and don't work out a new regime
Yeah, I got a team
Yeah, take the reins
I'm mama's only one
Ah, take the reins
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Take the Reins Lyrics as written by Christopher Neil
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
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