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.
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines, lines, lines
You got to read between the lines, lines
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Late afternoon, the sun's going down
I call on your cell (why's he in such a hurry?)
Leaving the room, he's mumbling too
Now, now lookin' for his shoes (he's leavin' out the room, room)
No explanation, no actual location
Just watching him pacing (wonder who he's stressing, stressing?)
Little conversation, leavin' no debation
He left the door swingin'
You better open your mind
To read between the lines
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
You got to read between the lines
Nine in the morning, up, up, up way before breakfast
Homeboy gettin' restless
(The room is full of questions)
Little replyin', whole lot of denyin'
You're steady collidin'
(So why do he keep on trying, trying?)
I search for the median, now he's a comedian
That's all the more reason
(He's changing like the seasons, seasons)
Are you still pleasing?
Well, soon you'll be leaving
Which one will be grieving?
You better open your mind
To read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines (yeah, yeah)
Hope you don't think you pullin' one over me
'Cause I, I know what's going on
I hope you ain't been planning on running me
'Cause that, that ain't what I'm on, on
Hope you don't think you pullin' one over me
'Cause you'll look up, and I'll be gone
Hope you ain't making plans on running me
'Cause I read between the lines
Who got you thinkin' you ish ain't been stinkin'?
My temperature's peakin'
(Why is you barely speakin'?)
I'm bustin' his bubble, and he know he in trouble
He's talkin' in doubles
(I'm listening but hardly believing, believing)
Changing the story, or trying to ignore me
Still reaching out for me
(But, still, I'm hardly reaching, reaching)
Give me a reason to put you back on line
You've wasted enough time
I had to open my mind
Got to read between the lines, lines (yeah)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
You got to read between the lines, lines (oh yeah)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines, yeah)
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Gotta read between the lines ('tween the lines)
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old (getting old)
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Gotta read between the lines (yeah)
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
You got to read between the lines, lines, lines
You got to read between the lines, lines
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Late afternoon, the sun's going down
I call on your cell (why's he in such a hurry?)
Leaving the room, he's mumbling too
Now, now lookin' for his shoes (he's leavin' out the room, room)
No explanation, no actual location
Just watching him pacing (wonder who he's stressing, stressing?)
Little conversation, leavin' no debation
He left the door swingin'
You better open your mind
To read between the lines
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
You got to read between the lines
Nine in the morning, up, up, up way before breakfast
Homeboy gettin' restless
(The room is full of questions)
Little replyin', whole lot of denyin'
You're steady collidin'
(So why do he keep on trying, trying?)
I search for the median, now he's a comedian
That's all the more reason
(He's changing like the seasons, seasons)
Are you still pleasing?
Well, soon you'll be leaving
Which one will be grieving?
You better open your mind
To read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines (yeah, yeah)
Hope you don't think you pullin' one over me
'Cause I, I know what's going on
I hope you ain't been planning on running me
'Cause that, that ain't what I'm on, on
Hope you don't think you pullin' one over me
'Cause you'll look up, and I'll be gone
Hope you ain't making plans on running me
'Cause I read between the lines
Who got you thinkin' you ish ain't been stinkin'?
My temperature's peakin'
(Why is you barely speakin'?)
I'm bustin' his bubble, and he know he in trouble
He's talkin' in doubles
(I'm listening but hardly believing, believing)
Changing the story, or trying to ignore me
Still reaching out for me
(But, still, I'm hardly reaching, reaching)
Give me a reason to put you back on line
You've wasted enough time
I had to open my mind
Got to read between the lines, lines (yeah)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
You got to read between the lines, lines (oh yeah)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines, yeah)
You got to read between the lines, lines
You got to read between the lines
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines ('tween the lines)
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Got to read between the lines
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Gotta read between the lines ('tween the lines)
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
Your replies are getting old (getting old)
It's in his eyes (in his eyes)
Gotta read between the lines (yeah)
Lies are gettin' told
Look in his eyes (look in his eyes)
You got to read between the lines
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