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.
Days are long, life's so short
It's a crazy world, the moment we call life
Taking off across the sea
Touchdown, city full of lights
Looked around when there is no one in the room
There's a bar and they call for me and you
Floating up like there's water underneath
From the desert to the shining sea
Just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted
Just what I wanted, oh, my, my (oh, my, my)
Look around, you're just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted, I'm alright
I'm alright (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
Oh my, my (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
I'm alright, I'm alright
Days are long, life's so short
It's a crazy world when we meet, we try
Taking across the sea
Touchdown, festivals, night
Looked around at the faces in the room
People shouting, they're saying parlez-vous
Floating up like there's water underneath
I'm the desert, you're the shining sea
Just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted
Just what I wanted, oh, my, my (oh, my, my)
Look around, you're just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted, I'm alright
I'm alright (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
Oh my, my (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
I'm alright, I'm alright
All that I've seen, I could feel it (I've been to so many places)
Show me your eyes (I've seen the brightest lights, the darkest nights)
All that I've seen (all the things that I have seen)
You are (I swear that you are) you are
Just what I wanted (come on, come on)
You're just what I wanted
All my life
I found you
You're just what I wanted (you are) just what I wanted
All my life
Look around you (oh, oh, come on)
Oh my, my (yeah)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
You're just what I wanted all my life
Oh my, my
It's a crazy world, the moment we call life
Taking off across the sea
Touchdown, city full of lights
Looked around when there is no one in the room
There's a bar and they call for me and you
Floating up like there's water underneath
From the desert to the shining sea
Just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted
Just what I wanted, oh, my, my (oh, my, my)
Look around, you're just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted, I'm alright
I'm alright (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
Oh my, my (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
I'm alright, I'm alright
Days are long, life's so short
It's a crazy world when we meet, we try
Taking across the sea
Touchdown, festivals, night
Looked around at the faces in the room
People shouting, they're saying parlez-vous
Floating up like there's water underneath
I'm the desert, you're the shining sea
Just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted
Just what I wanted, oh, my, my (oh, my, my)
Look around, you're just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted, I'm alright
I'm alright (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
Oh my, my (just what I wanted, just what I wanted, you're just what I wanted)
I'm alright, I'm alright
All that I've seen, I could feel it (I've been to so many places)
Show me your eyes (I've seen the brightest lights, the darkest nights)
All that I've seen (all the things that I have seen)
You are (I swear that you are) you are
Just what I wanted (come on, come on)
You're just what I wanted
All my life
I found you
You're just what I wanted (you are) just what I wanted
All my life
Look around you (oh, oh, come on)
Oh my, my (yeah)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
Just what I wanted (just what I wanted)
You're just what I wanted all my life
Oh my, my
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Oh My My Lyrics as written by Noel Zancanella Ryan Tedder
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.