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.
I bet you won't have much to say
When a sledgehammer rears back and busts you in your face
Pop another pill, pretend you're not fake
Come to think of it, maybe your life's a mistake
Don't breathe, don't speak
I need a moment to think what you would be without me
You are the bane of everything
Nothing will ever be the same
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Two thousand miles away
Even I can feel the earth shake
When you say
That everything will be okay
There's nothing left
We're facing death
And you still can't admit
That everything won't be okay
They will say it's lonely at the top
But it's a nightmare at the bottom
They'll never stop to think or feel
Don't tell me you're alone
When I'm lying here dying
At the foot of their throne
Misguide me, mislead me
Take me away from everyone that needs me
I'm drowning, I'm dying
And you still won't reach me
I'm drowning, I'm dying
I'm on my final breath and still won't reach
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Two thousand miles away
Even I can feel the earth shake
When you say
That everything will be okay
There's nothing left
We're facing death
And you still can't admit
That everything won't be okay
If I die, you're coming with me
They say it's euphoric anyway
Speak my name and feel the earth shake
Feel the earth shake
When a sledgehammer rears back and busts you in your face
Pop another pill, pretend you're not fake
Come to think of it, maybe your life's a mistake
Don't breathe, don't speak
I need a moment to think what you would be without me
You are the bane of everything
Nothing will ever be the same
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Two thousand miles away
Even I can feel the earth shake
When you say
That everything will be okay
There's nothing left
We're facing death
And you still can't admit
That everything won't be okay
They will say it's lonely at the top
But it's a nightmare at the bottom
They'll never stop to think or feel
Don't tell me you're alone
When I'm lying here dying
At the foot of their throne
Misguide me, mislead me
Take me away from everyone that needs me
I'm drowning, I'm dying
And you still won't reach me
I'm drowning, I'm dying
I'm on my final breath and still won't reach
Don't think that you're better off now
Or you have a clean slate
How can you sleep at night?
When the earth shakes, just self-medicate
Two thousand miles away
Even I can feel the earth shake
When you say
That everything will be okay
There's nothing left
We're facing death
And you still can't admit
That everything won't be okay
If I die, you're coming with me
They say it's euphoric anyway
Speak my name and feel the earth shake
Feel the earth shake
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