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 didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
But like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I should've worked much harder
I should've just not bothered
I never show up on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
Drive you to work and you will be on time
These little problems, they're not yours, they're mine
Come on, listen to what I say
I got some secrets that'll make you stay
I just want to turn you down
I just want to turn you around
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
For the record, it's between you and I
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
But like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I should've worked much harder
I should've just not bothered
I never show up on weekdays
That's something that you learned yesterday
Drive you to work and you will be on time
These little problems, they're not yours, they're mine
Come on, listen to what I say
I got some secrets that'll make you stay
I just want to turn you down
I just want to turn you around
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, you're a freak"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
For the record, it's between you and I
Oh, I didn't take no shortcuts
I spent the money that I saved up
Oh, mama runnin' outta luck
And like my sister, don't give a fuck
I wanna steal your innocence
To me, my life, it just don't make any sense
Those strange manners, I love 'em so
Why won't you wear your new trench coat?
I just want to misbehave
I just want to be your slave
Oh, you ain't never had nothin' I wanted, but
I want it all, I just can't figure out
Nothin'
And altogether, it went well
We made pretend, we were best friends
Then she said, "Oh, I can wait"
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again, like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did, the things you hide
But for the record, it's between you and I
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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i think it's about a guy who's just burnt out despite the fact that he's young. he's played by the rules all of his life (in never taking any short cuts) but now he's knowingly "running out of luck" and doing everything he can get away with before it all comes to a crashing hault. i agree with pheav--he can't make sense of his own life so he thinks that having sex with this girl will some how make it all better.
it seems like he and this girl arent exactly strangers though. they have an off and on relationship ("together AGAIN like the beginning"). when they were young and barely legal they pulled a lot of shit ("the things we did, the things you hide, for the record its between you and i") but all of it is their secret. he's obviously conflicted--he wants the girl back just so he can be the one to "turn her down." he tells himself that she never brought anything to his life but then he realizes that he wanted her anyway. he's confused and wants it all.
the barely legal singer struggles in an adult world. all he wants to do is misbehave and be with this girl even though they aren't meant for eachother. he's lazy and regrets not "working harder" but continues with this way of life.
i still dont get the trenchcoat reference though. any thoughts? it IS an awesome line.
Trench coat was one of her strange manners, I always assumed. Trench coat with nothing underneath, of course.