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.
Who will clothe the children
When there's no shoes on their feet
When their stomach's empty
When there's nothing left to eat
How sad it is to see him
With his eyes down on the street
And when the night wraps up the light
Who will give him a bed to sleep
Some say n' some do
When the boys stand on the corner
When there's nobody around at home
Their hands are down in their pockets
Who will show them the way to go
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
I will, if you do
If I can, you will too
But I can't, cuz you won't
N' you can't, so I don't
Who will give more then a look
As their lives go flying by
As the sun goes up and down
Who will be left to cry
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
When there's no shoes on their feet
When their stomach's empty
When there's nothing left to eat
How sad it is to see him
With his eyes down on the street
And when the night wraps up the light
Who will give him a bed to sleep
Some say n' some do
When the boys stand on the corner
When there's nobody around at home
Their hands are down in their pockets
Who will show them the way to go
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
I will, if you do
If I can, you will too
But I can't, cuz you won't
N' you can't, so I don't
Who will give more then a look
As their lives go flying by
As the sun goes up and down
Who will be left to cry
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
Some say n' some do
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Some Say, Some Do Lyrics as written by Perez Rosas
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.