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.
How come he don't come and PLP with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Chuck E's in Love Lyrics as written by Rickie Lee Jones
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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,
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Pretty sure it's a song about a guy named Chuck E. He's acting different, more classy than people are used to him behaving. He seems to have suddenly got his *&%$ together, and his friends aren't sure what to make of it. They try to find out what's up with their friend, and the singer of this song (Ricki Lee herself) figures out that Chuck E must have gotten himself a girlfriend, so he's dressing nicer, taking better care of himself, trying to show his best side to this girl, whoever she may be.
But the twist at the end is that no one can seem to catch a glimpse of Chuck E's girlfriend, but in the end Ricki (the singer) figures out why no one has seen his girlfriend: because she, Ricki, is the one that Chuck E is in love with. He's trying to impress HER with the nicer clothes and hair, and trying to show her that he wants to improve himself for her, to be the kind of man she wants.
It's really very sweet, even if it's never revealed whether or not Chuck E's efforts are successful in wooing Ricki Lee.