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.
He took a Smith & Wesson down to the corner
And then he took a ride
He got out somewhere in Los Feliz
In the evening time
He rang her bell and pushed her through the door
And onto the bed
He took time to talk to her
Copulating, a gun to her head
And it was hot
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
Come around midnight
They are laughing and playing games
One bullet in the chamber
And spinning 'round in circles to its aim
But, nothing ever happens
So, they get drunk all the weekend
One hungover dirty Sunday morning
They fight
And then it starts again
And he's gone
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
He was working at the docks, when he found out
She took another man
He left his job and caught a ride
And decided to take a stand
He put his iron between her legs
And told her to love him again
She threw her arms around him
And then it started all over again
And it was fine
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
(Repeat chorus)
And then he took a ride
He got out somewhere in Los Feliz
In the evening time
He rang her bell and pushed her through the door
And onto the bed
He took time to talk to her
Copulating, a gun to her head
And it was hot
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
Come around midnight
They are laughing and playing games
One bullet in the chamber
And spinning 'round in circles to its aim
But, nothing ever happens
So, they get drunk all the weekend
One hungover dirty Sunday morning
They fight
And then it starts again
And he's gone
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
He was working at the docks, when he found out
She took another man
He left his job and caught a ride
And decided to take a stand
He put his iron between her legs
And told her to love him again
She threw her arms around him
And then it started all over again
And it was fine
Oh, he rides
He rides between the Straits of Love and Hate
The Straits of Love and Love
The Straits of Love abused
Tonight
(Repeat chorus)
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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