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.
burn the books they´ve got too many names and psychoses
all this incriminating evidence would surely haunt me
if someone broke into my house
suits in the living room
do you realize guys I was born in 1974
we´ve got someone here to explain your publishing
we know how much you love to be in front of audiences
hopeful you are
schoolbound you are
naive you are
driven you are
take a trip to new york with your guardian
and your fake identification
when they said is there something anything
you´d like to know young lady?
you said yes i´d like to know what kind of people
i´ll be dealing with
precocious you are
headstrong you are
terrified you are
ahead of your time you are
don´t mind our staring but
we´re surprised you´re not in a far-gone asylum
we´re surprised you didn´t crack up
lord knows that we would´ve
we would´ve liked to have been there
but you keep pushing us away
resilient you are
big time you are
ruthless you are
precious you are
all this incriminating evidence would surely haunt me
if someone broke into my house
suits in the living room
do you realize guys I was born in 1974
we´ve got someone here to explain your publishing
we know how much you love to be in front of audiences
hopeful you are
schoolbound you are
naive you are
driven you are
take a trip to new york with your guardian
and your fake identification
when they said is there something anything
you´d like to know young lady?
you said yes i´d like to know what kind of people
i´ll be dealing with
precocious you are
headstrong you are
terrified you are
ahead of your time you are
don´t mind our staring but
we´re surprised you´re not in a far-gone asylum
we´re surprised you didn´t crack up
lord knows that we would´ve
we would´ve liked to have been there
but you keep pushing us away
resilient you are
big time you are
ruthless you are
precious you are
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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 believe this song is about young Alanis' start in entertainment world. There are "suits in the living room", probably either TV or music executives and she has a "guardian" when she goes to New York. I think it's probably about how overwhelming things can be when you're young and getting a start in the business.
I think it's obvious that Shari has captured the meaning...I always assumed it to be about her early days in the industry... "do you realise guys i was born in 1974?" people shocked by her level of maturity at such a young age. "we know how much you love to be in front of audiences", true about a young alanis. "take a trip to N.Y with your guardian and your fake I.D", travelling with minders/agents/publicists. when they said "is there something anything you'd like to know young lady?" you said "yes i'd like to know what kind of people i'll be dealing with" - another sign of alanis' early maturity. What i especially love is the last verse: "we're surprised you're not in a far-gone asylum we're surprised you didn't crack-up lord knows that we would've"- i see this as refering to her Jagged Little Pill comeback- fans and friends surprised that she hadn't fallen victim to the fate of many child stars.
I don't know what it is about this song that I just love...the meaning is kinda murky (well what do you expect from Alanis? lol) but its a catchy one!
I believe she once explained that she wrote ther song about herself, means with "u r" she means herself. She used it as a kinda reflection upon herself.
and because she's singing about herself, it almost feels like you're singing about yourself too, or like she's singing about you.... it feels so personal, you can't help but identify yourself the way she indentifies herself.
excellent song, once again!!!
it is possible that she's talkin about some girl that's unknown and she wants to go to the big city to become a music star
I totally agree with dandeman and Shari, it definitely always seemed to me to be about Young Alanis' start, all of her music is so personal...perhaps why she has such a huge following, because she takes personal feelings and makes the relateable to a general audience. The last verse is my favorite and something I can relate to very well on a personal level!
It could be about young Alanis and probably is, but I could definetely recognize the feeling this song evokes in many people who move to the big city where everything is so new and everybody at home is cheering for them. :)
i love this song its just sonically nice. its nice to listen to.
i also think its about herself. one thing i find funny about this song is that instead of saying "you are... ___" she says it backwards. it just reminds me of yoda. lol
For some reason, I associate this song intimately with a gay friend of mine, especially with the 'Don't mind our staring'. He's very much of an exhibitionist ('love to be in front of audiences') as well.