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.
That's life, that's what people say
You're riding high in April
Sitting on the ground in May
But I believe I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, yeah in June
I tell you that's life and as funny as it may seem
Some people really get big kicks
From stepping and walking on your dreams
But I'm not gonna let it get me down
Because this big world of ours is going to keep spinnin' around
I've been a puppet, pauper, pirate
Poet, pawn and a queen
I've been up, I've been down
I've been over, I've been out
And I learned one thing
That every time I see myself, fallin' flat on my face
This is what I do,
Say get up girl, oh get up girl, oh get back in the race
Oh that's life
I'm gonna deny it
I really thought of quitting once or twice
But my heart wouldn't buy it
And if I thought it was worth one single try
This is what I'd do
I'd call American Airlines, get dead on a jet and I'd fly
I've been a puppet, pauper, pirate
Poet, pawn and a queen
I've been up, I've been down
I've been over, I've been out
And I learned one thing
That every time I see myself, fallin' flat on my face
This is what I do,
Say get up girl, oh, listen to yourself, oh, get back up in the race
Oh, that's life
And I'm gonna deny it
I really, really thought of quitting once or twice
But my heart just wouldn't buy it
And if I thought it was worth a single try
I'd just roll myself up in one of those big balls
And I'd lay right down and I'd ahh
You're riding high in April
Sitting on the ground in May
But I believe I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, yeah in June
I tell you that's life and as funny as it may seem
Some people really get big kicks
From stepping and walking on your dreams
But I'm not gonna let it get me down
Because this big world of ours is going to keep spinnin' around
I've been a puppet, pauper, pirate
Poet, pawn and a queen
I've been up, I've been down
I've been over, I've been out
And I learned one thing
That every time I see myself, fallin' flat on my face
This is what I do,
Say get up girl, oh get up girl, oh get back in the race
Oh that's life
I'm gonna deny it
I really thought of quitting once or twice
But my heart wouldn't buy it
And if I thought it was worth one single try
This is what I'd do
I'd call American Airlines, get dead on a jet and I'd fly
I've been a puppet, pauper, pirate
Poet, pawn and a queen
I've been up, I've been down
I've been over, I've been out
And I learned one thing
That every time I see myself, fallin' flat on my face
This is what I do,
Say get up girl, oh, listen to yourself, oh, get back up in the race
Oh, that's life
And I'm gonna deny it
I really, really thought of quitting once or twice
But my heart just wouldn't buy it
And if I thought it was worth a single try
I'd just roll myself up in one of those big balls
And I'd lay right down and I'd ahh
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
That's Life Lyrics as written by Kelly L. Gordon Dean Kay
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.