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.
I'm sick of the same thing, it's all gotten boring
There's trouble on our heels and I'm not running
My room looks like a great place for a fire
But we're melded to the floor and we can't get any higher
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it
Don't act so broken-hearted, it was over when we started
Clichés that we've all seen before
We scream, "Who cares?"
Can't you tell that you're lying?
Turn away, blind an eye to the dying
In exchange, give in all your control, all your control, all control
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it, yeah
You don't deserve it
You don't deserve it
You don't deserve it
There's trouble on our heels and I'm not running
My room looks like a great place for a fire
But we're melded to the floor and we can't get any higher
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it
Don't act so broken-hearted, it was over when we started
Clichés that we've all seen before
We scream, "Who cares?"
Can't you tell that you're lying?
Turn away, blind an eye to the dying
In exchange, give in all your control, all your control, all control
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it
Desperate times call for desperate measures
And we know that this time won't last forever
So let's make this worth it
We're young and imperfect
We'll take the risk for you when you don't deserve it, yeah
You don't deserve it
You don't deserve it
You don't deserve it
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