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 got a bone to pick with you
Not-so-friendly boys in blue
When you come out of the station and into the street
Everybody beats a hasty retreat
Well it was late one Friday, I'm a little bit wrecked
You're on your way "to serve and protect"
You buzz out of the cruiser like bees from a hive
And ask me if I want to 'go for a drive (go for a drive?)
[Chorus:]
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
My ribs are broken and my face is in a mess
And a name on my statement's under duress
52 Division, handcuffed to a chair
I'm trying to line up but fall down the stairs
I tell you I am innocent, I try to explain
But just making sure you don't do it again (do what again?)
That's why you're riding on the Cherry Beach Express
Your ribs are broken and your face is in a mess
And we strongly suggest you confess
I confess!
I confess I am mystified by the way you're occupied
I confess I'm horrified why are you so terrified?
Does the pain get any less if I confess?
And the name on my statement's under duress
52 Division, handcuffed to a chair
I'm trying to line up but fall down the stairs
I tell you I am innocent, I try to explain
But just making sure you don't do it again (do what again?)
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
My ribs are broken and my face is in a mess
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
And I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
Not-so-friendly boys in blue
When you come out of the station and into the street
Everybody beats a hasty retreat
Well it was late one Friday, I'm a little bit wrecked
You're on your way "to serve and protect"
You buzz out of the cruiser like bees from a hive
And ask me if I want to 'go for a drive (go for a drive?)
[Chorus:]
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
My ribs are broken and my face is in a mess
And a name on my statement's under duress
52 Division, handcuffed to a chair
I'm trying to line up but fall down the stairs
I tell you I am innocent, I try to explain
But just making sure you don't do it again (do what again?)
That's why you're riding on the Cherry Beach Express
Your ribs are broken and your face is in a mess
And we strongly suggest you confess
I confess!
I confess I am mystified by the way you're occupied
I confess I'm horrified why are you so terrified?
Does the pain get any less if I confess?
And the name on my statement's under duress
52 Division, handcuffed to a chair
I'm trying to line up but fall down the stairs
I tell you I am innocent, I try to explain
But just making sure you don't do it again (do what again?)
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
My ribs are broken and my face is in a mess
That's why I'm riding on the Cherry Beach Express
And I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
I never dreamed it would be like this
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Cherry Beach Express Lyrics as written by Williamson Duggan-smith
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a funny, wry song with a hint of truth, about the Metropolitan Toronto Police force. Toronto is Pukka Orchestra's home town, Canada's biggest city. The Toronto Police are a no nonsense bunch that occasionally got heavy handed in the 70s and 80s (when this song was written). Cherry Beach is a public beach on Lake Ontario. It's quiet and virtually deserted on all but the hottest summer weekends, but it's easily accessible from downtown Toronto.
The Cherry Beach Express is when Toronto police rough up suspects, beat them up, threaten them etc to extract information or a confession. This can happen anywhere, including the police station, as heard in the song. ("52 Division" is one of the police stations) But the name "Cherry Beach Express " stems from the times the police would drive the perps to the deserted Beach in the middle of the night to perform said roughing. A local newspaper, The Toronto Star liked to report on police roughness, to shame them. I remember one report where it was revealed the police would strip search a male suspect, sit him down naked and handcuffed on a wooden chair and threaten to staple his scrotum to the seat if he didn't talk. Ouch!