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.
Just a few words to clear my head of thoughts of you
Too slow to learn from all the signals that you sent me
Big man, bigger head, no one else had an entry pass
The time I spent to tell you stories no one knew
I think I know now your surprise I’d share this with you
You see, I didn’t plan to leave you back when my life began
What was it then?
A transitive phase filled up with waste?
Is that it?
I’ve got the lies
Pages and sheets which reek of love
Is that something you recall?
So I trace my mistake to the source
Like a fool, I took your kind words for truth
And went around like that for years
And I bragged of a thing not my own
Now I know, but I backpedal too late
And in the crash I lost my face that I once had
Now it’s gone, what’s left is raw
You call me up to tell me of your pleasant day
I bite my lips to hear the shallow shit you say
Stubborn to the end, I believed that we could be friends
Think I forgot the way you talk about your exes?
I’d rather die an awful death than join your suitors
My pride, locked inside, it isn’t much but it gets me by
Look in your eyes
I’d never have guessed they once held life
Enchanting
I’m off again
Why can’t you be like I want?
Like you said you were then
So I trace my mistake to the source
Like a fool, I took your kind words for truth
And went around like that for years
And I bragged of a life not my own
Now I know, but I backpedal too late
And in the crash I tore my face off
So I looked at it, limp and bleeding there
It made me wonder how you stayed with me so long
Too slow to learn from all the signals that you sent me
Big man, bigger head, no one else had an entry pass
The time I spent to tell you stories no one knew
I think I know now your surprise I’d share this with you
You see, I didn’t plan to leave you back when my life began
What was it then?
A transitive phase filled up with waste?
Is that it?
I’ve got the lies
Pages and sheets which reek of love
Is that something you recall?
So I trace my mistake to the source
Like a fool, I took your kind words for truth
And went around like that for years
And I bragged of a thing not my own
Now I know, but I backpedal too late
And in the crash I lost my face that I once had
Now it’s gone, what’s left is raw
You call me up to tell me of your pleasant day
I bite my lips to hear the shallow shit you say
Stubborn to the end, I believed that we could be friends
Think I forgot the way you talk about your exes?
I’d rather die an awful death than join your suitors
My pride, locked inside, it isn’t much but it gets me by
Look in your eyes
I’d never have guessed they once held life
Enchanting
I’m off again
Why can’t you be like I want?
Like you said you were then
So I trace my mistake to the source
Like a fool, I took your kind words for truth
And went around like that for years
And I bragged of a life not my own
Now I know, but I backpedal too late
And in the crash I tore my face off
So I looked at it, limp and bleeding there
It made me wonder how you stayed with me so long
Lyrics submitted by embassyrow
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