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.
We were just five and playing poker
When your mom came bursting down
Yeah we were just five and going nowhere
'Cause we didn't know where to begin
You showed me my life
You showed me a place
This empty space
Yeah you had a style, we all adored it
For the way you made it seem
So easygoing, yet so flawless
You were really stuck in between
I dream of a hero saving the earth
I dream of a mother giving birth
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Don't let me interrupt you
I'm just making sure you feel alright
Don't let anybody love you
'Cause you're better off being a child
You showed me my life
You showed me a place
This empty space
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
Close my eyes, I improvise
Take a big breath, then your first steps
Cry your parents to sleep
Think the words out of your mouth
Go to school and make your best friend
Learn to use your hands
Eating sweets you really can't have
Fool around, way to be found
But then the girls appear
You realize you're alive
But the end is quite near
So why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
Close my eyes, I improvise
When your mom came bursting down
Yeah we were just five and going nowhere
'Cause we didn't know where to begin
You showed me my life
You showed me a place
This empty space
Yeah you had a style, we all adored it
For the way you made it seem
So easygoing, yet so flawless
You were really stuck in between
I dream of a hero saving the earth
I dream of a mother giving birth
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Don't let me interrupt you
I'm just making sure you feel alright
Don't let anybody love you
'Cause you're better off being a child
You showed me my life
You showed me a place
This empty space
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
Close my eyes, I improvise
Take a big breath, then your first steps
Cry your parents to sleep
Think the words out of your mouth
Go to school and make your best friend
Learn to use your hands
Eating sweets you really can't have
Fool around, way to be found
But then the girls appear
You realize you're alive
But the end is quite near
So why would you choose if you have so much time left
There's no reason you can do it all
Just buckle up, don't look behind
And you'll be fine
Why would you choose if you have so much time left
Close my eyes, I improvise
Lyrics submitted by mister care-too-much, edited by UselessPickles
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i feel that this song is about someone who was doomed from the start, and who wants to be a child, so choses not to grow up at all.
I think the words in the chorus are "Just buckle up, don't look behind..." It sounds right and makes a lot more sense in context.