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.
There are things I wish you'd do more often
Like laugh and talk to me (Ha ha ha)
I understand that everybody's got their problems
But you seem to have a little more than anybody
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
And there are things I wish you wouldn't take from me
Like my cellphone, my wallet, my car keys and my dignity
Know you think that we've had too much to drink
But I haven't, let it go, let it be, let me enjoy the party
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
There are things I wish you'd do more often
Like laugh and talk to me
I understand that everybody's got their problems
But you seem to have a little more than anybody
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
Like laugh and talk to me (Ha ha ha)
I understand that everybody's got their problems
But you seem to have a little more than anybody
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
And there are things I wish you wouldn't take from me
Like my cellphone, my wallet, my car keys and my dignity
Know you think that we've had too much to drink
But I haven't, let it go, let it be, let me enjoy the party
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
There are things I wish you'd do more often
Like laugh and talk to me
I understand that everybody's got their problems
But you seem to have a little more than anybody
And there are things I think we'll come to regret
And the majority of them are dealing with me
And there are things I know you've come to expect
But right now, believe me, believe me
Show me some respect
And I know that you know me like nobody else
It's just hard to explain
I like to be by myself
And it's like having a question, but no one'll help
And you're just one of the books, there's a lot on the shelf
And there are things that we could do to make ourselves stand out
But we won't, no we won't
Lyrics submitted by withoutgravity
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