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.
When Tom came home his hair was combed
He bought snakeskin boots in Rome
That’s not like him
His socks are clean, his shirt is pressed
It isn’t just the way he’s dressed
He smiles out of context and acts so polite
He’s staying at his cousin’s overnight
The protein shakes, that’s not like him
The carrot cakes, that’s not like him
The oatbran flakes, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
He whispers on the telephone
He goes out smelling of cologne
That’s not like him
It’s just a superficial thing
But he’s misplaced his wedding ring
He’s become quite a connoisseur of wine
He’s quoting Yeats and Gertrude Stein
The Soho pub, that’s not like him
The racquet club, that’s not like him
Those books on love, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
I caught a glimpse of Tom today
At a checkout counter, about to pay
He had a girl on his arm
I’m glad he’s helping out the poor
It’s not like the Tom I knew before
Something so touching it made me cry
But my heart was racing, I don’t know why
Those new blue suede shoes, that’s not like him
The Ray Ban shades, that’s not like him
Those downtown ways, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
The red suspenders, that’s not like him
The berries in the blender, that’s not like him
Those twelve step groups, that’s not like him
And Guadeloupe, that’s not like him
Those books on Zen, that’s not like him
The Karate classes, that’s not like him
The fishing gear, that’s not like him
Not like him, That’s not like him
He bought snakeskin boots in Rome
That’s not like him
His socks are clean, his shirt is pressed
It isn’t just the way he’s dressed
He smiles out of context and acts so polite
He’s staying at his cousin’s overnight
The protein shakes, that’s not like him
The carrot cakes, that’s not like him
The oatbran flakes, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
He whispers on the telephone
He goes out smelling of cologne
That’s not like him
It’s just a superficial thing
But he’s misplaced his wedding ring
He’s become quite a connoisseur of wine
He’s quoting Yeats and Gertrude Stein
The Soho pub, that’s not like him
The racquet club, that’s not like him
Those books on love, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
I caught a glimpse of Tom today
At a checkout counter, about to pay
He had a girl on his arm
I’m glad he’s helping out the poor
It’s not like the Tom I knew before
Something so touching it made me cry
But my heart was racing, I don’t know why
Those new blue suede shoes, that’s not like him
The Ray Ban shades, that’s not like him
Those downtown ways, that’s not like him
And the sweet name he called me in his sleep last night
Oh, that’s not like him
The red suspenders, that’s not like him
The berries in the blender, that’s not like him
Those twelve step groups, that’s not like him
And Guadeloupe, that’s not like him
Those books on Zen, that’s not like him
The Karate classes, that’s not like him
The fishing gear, that’s not like him
Not like him, That’s not like him
Lyrics submitted by shut
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