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.
With an edge that cuts more than any knife
Here to pass any trend or a shelf life
Giving up is easy to do
But easy won't show we have something to prove
Your sticks, your stone, your words
Are all useless
My flesh and bone, my focus is ruthless
Wasting your breath, I'm ready to die for
Something that puts it all on the line
I'm not gonna stay the same
The whole damn world is stuck in a phase
I'd rather fail standing out of the crowd
At least I did it myself
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Ohh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Thrown out like trash
Deserted like outcasts
No trust, no hope, no faith
They want me in the ground
But I clawed my way out
Dug through the dirt
All you did was doubt
So whatchya gotta say, gotta say now
The cards were stacked
And I knocked them down
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Oh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
You left me when I needed you most
Now I'm gonna shove it right down your throat
You left me when I needed you most
Now I'm gonna shove it right down your throat
Choke on this
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Oh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Here to pass any trend or a shelf life
Giving up is easy to do
But easy won't show we have something to prove
Your sticks, your stone, your words
Are all useless
My flesh and bone, my focus is ruthless
Wasting your breath, I'm ready to die for
Something that puts it all on the line
I'm not gonna stay the same
The whole damn world is stuck in a phase
I'd rather fail standing out of the crowd
At least I did it myself
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Ohh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Thrown out like trash
Deserted like outcasts
No trust, no hope, no faith
They want me in the ground
But I clawed my way out
Dug through the dirt
All you did was doubt
So whatchya gotta say, gotta say now
The cards were stacked
And I knocked them down
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Oh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
You left me when I needed you most
Now I'm gonna shove it right down your throat
You left me when I needed you most
Now I'm gonna shove it right down your throat
Choke on this
Afraid of your shadow when no one is there
Dare to be someone different, never blending in
You set us up just to watch us fall
The look on your face really says it all
Oh
They can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
Can call it what they want
I'm gonna prove them wrong
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