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'll be...going out with radio...
Going out with disco...going out like bacchanal...
I'll be...going out with telephone...
Going out alone...to the radar zone...
It's all just inadvertent imitation and I don't mean mine
It's all across this nation...
If it's just inadvertent simulation a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
I'll be...playing with my magazine...
Using up my Listerine...Like Ovaltine...
And you'll be...you're dippin' in your battleship...
For the latest tip...for the latest dream...
It's all just inadvertent, imitation, and I don't mean mine
It's all across this nation...
If it's just inadvertent, simulation, a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
If it's just inadvertent, imitation, a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
What's got the whole world fakin'? (4x)
What's got the whole world fakin' it, yeah?
Going out with disco...going out like bacchanal...
I'll be...going out with telephone...
Going out alone...to the radar zone...
It's all just inadvertent imitation and I don't mean mine
It's all across this nation...
If it's just inadvertent simulation a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
I'll be...playing with my magazine...
Using up my Listerine...Like Ovaltine...
And you'll be...you're dippin' in your battleship...
For the latest tip...for the latest dream...
It's all just inadvertent, imitation, and I don't mean mine
It's all across this nation...
If it's just inadvertent, simulation, a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
If it's just inadvertent, imitation, a pattern in all mankind
What's got the whole world fakin' it?
What's got the whole world fakin'? (4x)
What's got the whole world fakin' it, yeah?
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Think about what this song would have sounded like if Eddie had sung it..... it would have been a hit ..... a smash hit.... but placing stone at the mic made everything awkward on purpose to show that the public fears change..... I think that putting Stone on the mic was genious because stone does not have Eddie's voice that everyone loves.... he has his own while talented but unknown voice... that was cool....