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.
Have you ever?
Ever had to stand and just watch
While your life was like a game on your X-Box?
Welcome to the club, I’m the president (incumbent)
We’re almost like a nation of fools
Where public spending’s cut down to naught
We’re clutching at invisible straws
And no one’s here to tell where they lead to, who's to tell us who’s in
Control
I’m not in control
I seem to be but no (no control)
Our lives are a river where we
are swimming frantically,
Belly-up just trying to obtain
Control
We fail to take control
Fail to swim ashore
It’s all up in the air and I’d
much rather go down river
than go down like a lead balloon
The bottom’s never the place to be
Why not surf on the surface with me
It’s easy and won’t ruin your make-up (wake up)
Don’t bother with the deep end anymore
I got happiness served on a plate for you
That old bliss on a table for two
And nothing in the water to weigh you down, just throw out all your
Control
I’m not in control
I seem to be but no (no control)
Our lives are a river where we
are swimming frantically,
Belly-up just trying to obtain
Control
We fail to take control
Fail to swim ashore
It’s all up in the air and I’d
much rather go down river
than go down like a lead balloon
I never claimed the answer
But I know what it’s not
Let go and let in a little
Modulation to lift you up
Ever had to stand and just watch
While your life was like a game on your X-Box?
Welcome to the club, I’m the president (incumbent)
We’re almost like a nation of fools
Where public spending’s cut down to naught
We’re clutching at invisible straws
And no one’s here to tell where they lead to, who's to tell us who’s in
Control
I’m not in control
I seem to be but no (no control)
Our lives are a river where we
are swimming frantically,
Belly-up just trying to obtain
Control
We fail to take control
Fail to swim ashore
It’s all up in the air and I’d
much rather go down river
than go down like a lead balloon
The bottom’s never the place to be
Why not surf on the surface with me
It’s easy and won’t ruin your make-up (wake up)
Don’t bother with the deep end anymore
I got happiness served on a plate for you
That old bliss on a table for two
And nothing in the water to weigh you down, just throw out all your
Control
I’m not in control
I seem to be but no (no control)
Our lives are a river where we
are swimming frantically,
Belly-up just trying to obtain
Control
We fail to take control
Fail to swim ashore
It’s all up in the air and I’d
much rather go down river
than go down like a lead balloon
I never claimed the answer
But I know what it’s not
Let go and let in a little
Modulation to lift you up
Lyrics submitted by gonzoid
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