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.
Mmm
Mmm
Come on, baby, show me your favorite
I'm as addicted as the lips to your cigarette
I'm a lover of a second degree (And a killer)
My Mona Lisa wasn't looking at me
To adore you
All right
All in favor, take a stand and defend me
I'm so cold and lonely, I could be dead
But I'm doing all right
Mmm
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Cleaning my hands are my bloody fingers
My brain is scattered like the thoughts in my patter (Ha!)
'Cause I'm a lover of a second degree (And a killer)
My Mona Lisa wasn't looking at me, c'mon
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Throw some salt over your shoulder, baby!
I got a new low
Forward put me back
I got a new low
It's all right, put me back
Hoo, hoo
Hoo, hoo
Hoo
(Oh, I really hate, I really hate us)
I said
I said
Ha
While I was thinking of it
Well, I just thought I'd mention
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
And it's not gonna be, not gonna be
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Hmm
Mmm
Come on, baby, show me your favorite
I'm as addicted as the lips to your cigarette
I'm a lover of a second degree (And a killer)
My Mona Lisa wasn't looking at me
To adore you
All right
All in favor, take a stand and defend me
I'm so cold and lonely, I could be dead
But I'm doing all right
Mmm
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Cleaning my hands are my bloody fingers
My brain is scattered like the thoughts in my patter (Ha!)
'Cause I'm a lover of a second degree (And a killer)
My Mona Lisa wasn't looking at me, c'mon
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Throw some salt over your shoulder, baby!
I got a new low
Forward put me back
I got a new low
It's all right, put me back
Hoo, hoo
Hoo, hoo
Hoo
(Oh, I really hate, I really hate us)
I said
I said
Ha
While I was thinking of it
Well, I just thought I'd mention
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
And it's not gonna be, not gonna be
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
I know what you want
But it's not gonna be what you like
Hmm
Lyrics submitted by darianb1031, edited by imatt, MCSMeister
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.