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've got your hair permed
You've got your red dress on
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning's here
And you'll be gone before too long
Who taught you those new tricks?
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
But life is one big question when your starin' at the clock
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, forty ounce to freedom
So I take that walk
And I know that oh, I'm not comin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows not going back
Oh not goin'
And you look so fine, when you lie, it just don't show,
But I know which way the wind blows
A forty ounce to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good
Even though I feel bad
And I know that, oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
Oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
You've got your red dress on
Screamin' that second gear was such a turn on
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the morning's here
And you'll be gone before too long
Who taught you those new tricks?
Damn I shouldn't start that talk,
But life is one big question when your starin' at the clock
And the answers always waiting at the liquor store, forty ounce to freedom
So I take that walk
And I know that oh, I'm not comin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows not going back
Oh not goin'
And you look so fine, when you lie, it just don't show,
But I know which way the wind blows
A forty ounce to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good
Even though I feel bad
And I know that, oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
Oh, I'm not goin' back
Oh not going back
Oh God knows I'm not going back
Ohh
Lyrics submitted by The Big Andowski, edited by be_negative
40 Oz. to Freedom Lyrics as written by Bradley Nowell Marshall Goodman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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OK first of all this is songmeanings.net not cockriders.net. Anyway this song is about a fight he had with his girlfriend after he got out of jail this is why. You got your hair permed, you got your red dress on, screamin' that second gear was such a turn-on. MEANS She got all dressed up for his return from jail
And the fog forming on my window tells me that the mornings here and you'll be gone before too long. Means he fucked her in the car on the way home and she always goes home in the morning after sex.
Who taught you those new tricks? Damn, I shouldn't start that talk but life is one big question when your starin' at the clock.... Means: Who you been fucking while I'm jail...I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that but all you can do in jail is think. If you ever been you'd understand.
And you look so fine when you lie, it just don't show but i know which way the wind blows. Means: You are a good liar you manipulative whore but I'm not a dumbass you don't learn new sex tricks on your own. A 40oz to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good even though I feel bad. Means: A 40oz to freedom is the only chance I have to feel good even though I feel bad. Ooohhh....I'm not goin' back. Ohh I'm not going back. Ohh God knows, im not going back. Ohhh I'm...not goin'
Ooohhh....I'm not goin' back. Ohh, I'm not going back Ohh, God knows, I'm not going back Ohhh, I'm...not goin' back Means: I'm never going to steal another fucking car again. So I won't go back to prison.
Awesome interpretation man!