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.
Justine was the prom queen
Back in 1995
Punk and super pretty
Like a goddess on the outside
She was sweet and funny
Popular and cool
Gotta be a drag when you peak in high school
She left college and she never went back
She posed for Playboy
Made her think that she could act
Ten years looking for the luck
Chased the dream to Cali
But her acting kind of sucked
Now she's pushing thirty-five
Working at Starbucks
Oh well
No where to go but up
Bill and Bobbie Ann
Tiffany and Mike
Seemed to be the kids that did everything right
Now the boys are doing time
For robbing a Korean store
The girls grow pot and do internet porn
Bobbie's little brother Bret always talked smack
He learned that you can go too far and never get back
He was drinking at the wrong place at the wrong time
He said the wrong thing to the wrong guy
Got himself stabbed in his one good eye
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you're falling in a good way
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
There is no where to go but up
There is no where to go but up
There is no where to go
Jimmy found god
Timmy lost a leg
Amy's married well to a man she hates
Cameron bought a strip club
Makes a lot of dough
Alex sold drugs
Now he has his own reality show
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you are falling in a good way
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you are falling in a good way
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
There is no where to go but up
Back in 1995
Punk and super pretty
Like a goddess on the outside
She was sweet and funny
Popular and cool
Gotta be a drag when you peak in high school
She left college and she never went back
She posed for Playboy
Made her think that she could act
Ten years looking for the luck
Chased the dream to Cali
But her acting kind of sucked
Now she's pushing thirty-five
Working at Starbucks
Oh well
No where to go but up
Bill and Bobbie Ann
Tiffany and Mike
Seemed to be the kids that did everything right
Now the boys are doing time
For robbing a Korean store
The girls grow pot and do internet porn
Bobbie's little brother Bret always talked smack
He learned that you can go too far and never get back
He was drinking at the wrong place at the wrong time
He said the wrong thing to the wrong guy
Got himself stabbed in his one good eye
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you're falling in a good way
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
There is no where to go but up
There is no where to go but up
There is no where to go
Jimmy found god
Timmy lost a leg
Amy's married well to a man she hates
Cameron bought a strip club
Makes a lot of dough
Alex sold drugs
Now he has his own reality show
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you are falling in a good way
Life goes south when pretty goes away
The best that you can get
Is when you are falling in a good way
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
Good enough is never enough
There is no where to go but up
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,
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
i love the "gotta be a drag when you peaked in high school" line and whilst i quite like their new album that line is even more ironic because for me, Everclear peaked when i was in high school... :)