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.
Everybody's looking at me
Like I should have somethin' to say
Words won't make a difference
So don't fuss, don't fight, it's okay
Johnny I love you, I miss you, I need you back home
Grab the wheel, let's drive on
Oh baby I killed a man, my own two hands
Now I feel alone, I wish you'd come back
His ghost, the only friend of mine
Now it's cold in my cell, I need you to tell them all
I'm fine, be out in no time at all
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Joanie you did good and ma did everything she could
I'm so sorry
Prayers won't make it right
I know ma prays both day and night, there's no need to
Oh oh here I stand an honest man, I tell you I had to, uhuh
Been a saint, been a sinner, never was a winner
Well Johnny these steel bars are tearing us apart
This is breaking my heart to see
You're locked away like this
You can't feel the cold, freewheeling wind
These stone walls, they run your blood thin, oh oh
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Oh congressman don't understand
I've always been the wanted man
You walked, I ran
Now take a look at where I stand and where it got me
Oh when push come to shove
You will never show me love
It's not in me, uhuh
It's a fixed race and I can never take your place
Warden in my room of doom
There's a paper moon
To remind me of her laughter in the night
The moon glowin' in her eyes
Where the sun never burns
The rain, it never falls
Safe and sound
Home with the sinners in these halls, oh oh
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Like I should have somethin' to say
Words won't make a difference
So don't fuss, don't fight, it's okay
Johnny I love you, I miss you, I need you back home
Grab the wheel, let's drive on
Oh baby I killed a man, my own two hands
Now I feel alone, I wish you'd come back
His ghost, the only friend of mine
Now it's cold in my cell, I need you to tell them all
I'm fine, be out in no time at all
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Joanie you did good and ma did everything she could
I'm so sorry
Prayers won't make it right
I know ma prays both day and night, there's no need to
Oh oh here I stand an honest man, I tell you I had to, uhuh
Been a saint, been a sinner, never was a winner
Well Johnny these steel bars are tearing us apart
This is breaking my heart to see
You're locked away like this
You can't feel the cold, freewheeling wind
These stone walls, they run your blood thin, oh oh
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Oh congressman don't understand
I've always been the wanted man
You walked, I ran
Now take a look at where I stand and where it got me
Oh when push come to shove
You will never show me love
It's not in me, uhuh
It's a fixed race and I can never take your place
Warden in my room of doom
There's a paper moon
To remind me of her laughter in the night
The moon glowin' in her eyes
Where the sun never burns
The rain, it never falls
Safe and sound
Home with the sinners in these halls, oh oh
Goodbye roses and the colors of the seasons
Lyrics submitted by cooperw
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