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.
So, you fucked this up again
It's time for you to leave
You never had many friends
And you thought this was alright
Rushing to meditate
Should eat but probably wait
You never thought of yourself, of yourself
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Walk
You could never walk away
From a speed freak holiday
Decaffeinated place
You're always reaching in
Looking for somewhere to go
And nobody needs to find out
And nobody needs to know
What you know, what you know
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
So, you wondered about the past
When you know that it's already been
Nothing seems to last
Will it last
Can it last
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Who lets you in
Who lets you in
Who lets you in
Who lets you
It's time for you to leave
You never had many friends
And you thought this was alright
Rushing to meditate
Should eat but probably wait
You never thought of yourself, of yourself
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Walk
You could never walk away
From a speed freak holiday
Decaffeinated place
You're always reaching in
Looking for somewhere to go
And nobody needs to find out
And nobody needs to know
What you know, what you know
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Do, do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do
Do, do, do, do, do
So, you wondered about the past
When you know that it's already been
Nothing seems to last
Will it last
Can it last
Why are you shaking
Why are you right
But I will be the only one who gives
And lets you in tonight
And lets you in tonight
Who lets you in
Who lets you in
Who lets you in
Who lets you
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This song is completely about speed drug days. from fucking it all up, rushing to meditate (getting high), knowing that I should've ate. Never being able to walk away from the dope, but still trying to hide it from everyone thinking that they didn't need to know.
Wondering about the past is something I do frequently, my bad memory follows me around. The good times never seem to last, the high never lasted.