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.
Can't Buy Love
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
Sweet talking on a Saturday night
Always seem to play the game
Make a move, read the signs
You think it's gonna be alright
That's right
I know what's on your mind
You wanna have a real good time
It feels right, and your plans are tight
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
You say your lines
And she plays her part
It's just another Passion Play
You take your cue and you find your mark
You hope it's gonna be alright
That's right
I know what's on your mind
You wanna have a real good time
It feels right, and your plans are tight
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
Can't Buy Love
Ooh it doesn't matter what the people say
You Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
You see the time is ticking away
The plot continues to unfold
You play your hand
And you level up the score
That's right
Gonna find a way
Play to win, don't give up the fight
Cuz you're never gonna fade away
You're feeling right, alive tonight
Nothing can stand in your way
It feels right and your plans are tight
But you know,
Just remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
Can't Buy Love
Ooh it doesn't matter what the people say
You Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
Sweet talk on a Saturday night
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
Sweet talking on a Saturday night
Always seem to play the game
Make a move, read the signs
You think it's gonna be alright
That's right
I know what's on your mind
You wanna have a real good time
It feels right, and your plans are tight
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
You say your lines
And she plays her part
It's just another Passion Play
You take your cue and you find your mark
You hope it's gonna be alright
That's right
I know what's on your mind
You wanna have a real good time
It feels right, and your plans are tight
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
Can't Buy Love
Ooh it doesn't matter what the people say
You Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
You see the time is ticking away
The plot continues to unfold
You play your hand
And you level up the score
That's right
Gonna find a way
Play to win, don't give up the fight
Cuz you're never gonna fade away
You're feeling right, alive tonight
Nothing can stand in your way
It feels right and your plans are tight
But you know,
Just remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
It doesn't matter what they say
Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
Can't Buy Love
Ooh it doesn't matter what the people say
You Can't Buy Love
If you wanna win
You gotta play
Sweet talk on a Saturday night
But you gotta remember one thing
Can't Buy Love
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Can't Buy Love Lyrics as written by David Bryan
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.