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.
If you're feeling down, depressed and lonely I know a place where we can go
22 Acacia Avenue, meet a lady that I know
So if you're looking for a good time and you're prepared to pay the price
Fifteen quid is all she asks for, everybody's got their vice
If you're waiting for a long time for the rest to do their piece
You can tell her that you know me and you might even get it free
So any time you're down the East End don't you hesitate to go
You can take my honest word for it, she'll teach you more than you can know
Charlotte, Can't you get out from all of this madness? Can't you see it only brings you sadness?
When you entertain your men don't you know the risk of getting disease
Some day when you're reaching the age of forty I bet you'll regret the days when you were laying
Nobody then will want to know, You won't have any beautiful wares to show any more
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Charlotte isn't it time you stopped this mad life? Don't you ever think about the bad times?
Why do you have to live this way? Do you enjoy your lay or is it the pay?
Sometimes when you're strolling down The Avenue the way you walk it makes men think of having you
When you're walking down the street everybody stops and turns to stare at you
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Beat her, mistreat her -- Do anything that you please
Bite her, excite her -- Make her get down on her knees
Abuse her, misuse her -- She can take all that you've got
Caress her, molest her -- She always does what you want
You're running away, don't you know what you're doing?
Can't you see it'll lead you to ruin?
Charlotte, you've taken your life and you've thrown it away
You believe that because what you're earning
Your life's good, don't you know that you're hurting?
All the people that love you, don't cast them aside
All the men that are constantly drooling, it's no life for you stop all that screwing
You're packing your bags and you're coming with me
Charlotte, Can't you get out from all of this madness? Can't you see it only brings you sadness?
When you entertain your men don't you know the risk of getting disease
Some day when you're reaching the age of forty I bet you'll regret the days when you were laying
Nobody then will want to know, You won't have any beautiful wares to show any more
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Beat her, mistreat her -- Do anything that you please
Bite her, excite her -- Make her get down on her knees
Abuse her, misuse her -- She can take all that you've got
Caress her, molest her -- She always does what you want
22 Acacia Avenue, meet a lady that I know
So if you're looking for a good time and you're prepared to pay the price
Fifteen quid is all she asks for, everybody's got their vice
If you're waiting for a long time for the rest to do their piece
You can tell her that you know me and you might even get it free
So any time you're down the East End don't you hesitate to go
You can take my honest word for it, she'll teach you more than you can know
Charlotte, Can't you get out from all of this madness? Can't you see it only brings you sadness?
When you entertain your men don't you know the risk of getting disease
Some day when you're reaching the age of forty I bet you'll regret the days when you were laying
Nobody then will want to know, You won't have any beautiful wares to show any more
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Charlotte isn't it time you stopped this mad life? Don't you ever think about the bad times?
Why do you have to live this way? Do you enjoy your lay or is it the pay?
Sometimes when you're strolling down The Avenue the way you walk it makes men think of having you
When you're walking down the street everybody stops and turns to stare at you
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Beat her, mistreat her -- Do anything that you please
Bite her, excite her -- Make her get down on her knees
Abuse her, misuse her -- She can take all that you've got
Caress her, molest her -- She always does what you want
You're running away, don't you know what you're doing?
Can't you see it'll lead you to ruin?
Charlotte, you've taken your life and you've thrown it away
You believe that because what you're earning
Your life's good, don't you know that you're hurting?
All the people that love you, don't cast them aside
All the men that are constantly drooling, it's no life for you stop all that screwing
You're packing your bags and you're coming with me
Charlotte, Can't you get out from all of this madness? Can't you see it only brings you sadness?
When you entertain your men don't you know the risk of getting disease
Some day when you're reaching the age of forty I bet you'll regret the days when you were laying
Nobody then will want to know, You won't have any beautiful wares to show any more
22, The Avenue
that's the place where we all go
You will find it's warm inside
The red light's burning bright tonight
Beat her, mistreat her -- Do anything that you please
Bite her, excite her -- Make her get down on her knees
Abuse her, misuse her -- She can take all that you've got
Caress her, molest her -- She always does what you want
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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