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.
Well, I'm goin' to a place where the tough guys go
And come out even tougher.
A place where a man don't show his feelings,
A place where a man don't cry.
Well they say I'm being punished
And they say I can be reformed
But some day I'll return.
Did they really think that
This time it would work.
You knew all along it wouldn't
[Chorus]
Oh, I'm prison bound
I did a crime one too many times.
It's on the outskirts of town, by the railroad tracks
Where the country moon shines.
Oh, I'm prison bound
Tell my girl I'll be back one day.
Oh, I'm prison bound
I may never know any other way.
Well, they take away my freedom of expression or action
Johnny says I'll walk the line
With three hots and a cot
And a lot of talk
With lock-up, concrete, and steel.
Well it's cold and it's clammy
Man, it's colder than a pimp's heart
But I've gotta do my time
There's a lesson to be learned here
But what a price to pay.
You know, I may never learn-
[Chorus]
And come out even tougher.
A place where a man don't show his feelings,
A place where a man don't cry.
Well they say I'm being punished
And they say I can be reformed
But some day I'll return.
Did they really think that
This time it would work.
You knew all along it wouldn't
[Chorus]
Oh, I'm prison bound
I did a crime one too many times.
It's on the outskirts of town, by the railroad tracks
Where the country moon shines.
Oh, I'm prison bound
Tell my girl I'll be back one day.
Oh, I'm prison bound
I may never know any other way.
Well, they take away my freedom of expression or action
Johnny says I'll walk the line
With three hots and a cot
And a lot of talk
With lock-up, concrete, and steel.
Well it's cold and it's clammy
Man, it's colder than a pimp's heart
But I've gotta do my time
There's a lesson to be learned here
But what a price to pay.
You know, I may never learn-
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
Prison Bound Lyrics as written by Michael Ness
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Most awesome song around, especially the live version of it. And that was pretty funny: "only one person said it was about society, and that was 3 years ago, so chill, and let off of the caps lock would ya."