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.
A truck parked this morning, outside the grocery store
Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
White horses carry me, unto the other side
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
White horses carry me, unto the other side
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Poor Boy Lyrics as written by David Byrne Brian Eno
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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