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.
Living on free food tickets
There's water in the milk from the hole in the roof
Where the rain came in
But what can you do
Well you got tears from your little sister
Crying 'cause she doesn't have a dress without a patch
For the party to go
Oh but you know that she's gonna get by
Living in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
As she can
Oh yeah
And it's a good thing you don't have bus fare
It would fall through the whole in your pocket
And you'd lose it in the snow on the ground
You better walk to town and find a job
Oh and you try to keep your hands warm
The hole in your shoe lets the snow come through
And it chills you to the bone
You'd better go home where it's warm
You can live in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
As she can
Oh yeah
Living on a dream ain't easy no
But the closer the knit the tighter the fit
And the chills stay away
We like to keep them in stride for family pride
Faith is your foundation
Got a whole lot of love and a long conversation
But don't forget to pray oh no
It's keeping us strong where we belong
Living in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
Living in the love of the common people
(You know that faith is your foundation)
Smiles from the heart of the family man
(Whole lot of love and a long conversation)
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
(Don't forget to pray it's keeping us strong)
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
(Where we belong)
Living in the love of the common people
(Oh living on a dream ain't easy)
Smiles from the heart of the family man
(But the closer the knit the tighter the fit)
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
(We like to keep them in stride)
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
(For family pride)
As she can
There's water in the milk from the hole in the roof
Where the rain came in
But what can you do
Well you got tears from your little sister
Crying 'cause she doesn't have a dress without a patch
For the party to go
Oh but you know that she's gonna get by
Living in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
As she can
Oh yeah
And it's a good thing you don't have bus fare
It would fall through the whole in your pocket
And you'd lose it in the snow on the ground
You better walk to town and find a job
Oh and you try to keep your hands warm
The hole in your shoe lets the snow come through
And it chills you to the bone
You'd better go home where it's warm
You can live in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
As she can
Oh yeah
Living on a dream ain't easy no
But the closer the knit the tighter the fit
And the chills stay away
We like to keep them in stride for family pride
Faith is your foundation
Got a whole lot of love and a long conversation
But don't forget to pray oh no
It's keeping us strong where we belong
Living in the love of the common people
Smiles from the heart of the family man
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
Living in the love of the common people
(You know that faith is your foundation)
Smiles from the heart of the family man
(Whole lot of love and a long conversation)
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
(Don't forget to pray it's keeping us strong)
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
(Where we belong)
Living in the love of the common people
(Oh living on a dream ain't easy)
Smiles from the heart of the family man
(But the closer the knit the tighter the fit)
Daddy's gonna buy you a dream to cling to
(We like to keep them in stride)
Mama's gonna love you just as much as she can
(For family pride)
As she can
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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