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.
Every time I see you it’s so much better than the time before
You seem to be improving… when you turn on the charm
It’s impossible to ignore
Yeh I suppose that means you’re getting older
People know your face…
All those friends and relations… everyone must have a place
For a guarantee of friendship
Rule of thumb ain’t good enough any more
Oh we shared our secrets, we had a common foe
And when you changed your mind, you always let me know
Somehow we were always on the right side of wrong
And when the lines were drawn
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
You made it look so easy, yeah you were always right
From tenderness to treason you faded out of sight
Behind a veil of sophistication, you looked so good
But now the party’s over I know I should have understood
That it’s a crime to be too easy and it’s a crime to be too glad
So now I’ve cut my losses it doesn’t feel so bad
So if I try to reach you by telling you a lie
It’s just another long goodbye
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
Every time I see you it’s so much better than the time before
You seem to be improving… when you turn on the charm
It’s impossible to ignore
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
You seem to be improving… when you turn on the charm
It’s impossible to ignore
Yeh I suppose that means you’re getting older
People know your face…
All those friends and relations… everyone must have a place
For a guarantee of friendship
Rule of thumb ain’t good enough any more
Oh we shared our secrets, we had a common foe
And when you changed your mind, you always let me know
Somehow we were always on the right side of wrong
And when the lines were drawn
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
You made it look so easy, yeah you were always right
From tenderness to treason you faded out of sight
Behind a veil of sophistication, you looked so good
But now the party’s over I know I should have understood
That it’s a crime to be too easy and it’s a crime to be too glad
So now I’ve cut my losses it doesn’t feel so bad
So if I try to reach you by telling you a lie
It’s just another long goodbye
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
Every time I see you it’s so much better than the time before
You seem to be improving… when you turn on the charm
It’s impossible to ignore
You were an angel of mercy
You were the one that I used to believe in
You were an angel of mercy
Now the tables have turned
And I can see right through you
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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