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.
I got one more life
Can you see it wasting away?
But I got a plan
Do you understand?
The drugstore wife
I was dealing soul and other white
I won't shake your hands
'Cause death has no plans
But here we are the rolling people
Can't stay for long
We gotta go
So come alive with the rolling poeple
Don't ask why
We just know
I'm on a big jet plane
With my briefcase and crime in my veins
I'll be the first to toast
To my rowdy soul
But here we are the rolling people
Don't ask why
We don't know
So come alive with the rolling people
Don't ask why
We just go now
Yeah
Don't even know which way I'm going to
The lights are on and I am feeling blue
I hope you know which way I'm going to fly
Thank you for my life
I said good night, good-bye
You see me going
But here we are the rolling people
Can't stay for long
We gotta go
So come alive with the rolling people
Don't ask why
We don't know now
Yeah
Can you see it wasting away?
But I got a plan
Do you understand?
The drugstore wife
I was dealing soul and other white
I won't shake your hands
'Cause death has no plans
But here we are the rolling people
Can't stay for long
We gotta go
So come alive with the rolling poeple
Don't ask why
We just know
I'm on a big jet plane
With my briefcase and crime in my veins
I'll be the first to toast
To my rowdy soul
But here we are the rolling people
Don't ask why
We don't know
So come alive with the rolling people
Don't ask why
We just go now
Yeah
Don't even know which way I'm going to
The lights are on and I am feeling blue
I hope you know which way I'm going to fly
Thank you for my life
I said good night, good-bye
You see me going
But here we are the rolling people
Can't stay for long
We gotta go
So come alive with the rolling people
Don't ask why
We don't know now
Yeah
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i'm not sure, but it sounds like he's poking a bit of fun at working professionals.
this is one of my favorite driving songs
I think it's about about living life to the full and dying early, and accepting that it's the way life is for some people and there's no other way of living it.
I'd say it's about a certain kind of people, who know where they're going and live their lives to the full.
The powerful guitar is McCabe's best.
Pure Rock and guitars! Great sound this song is just emotions
people coming alive together and having it
the rolling people always reminds me of people rolling on e
youtube.com/watch
just great...
Given the Verve have an extensive history of drug-related lyrics, I'm guessing "rolling" is referring to rolling a joint. It's about being reckless, adventurous and active - and probably being high.
well "rolling" means buzzing off ecstacy, i always just presumed thats what the song was about. maybe its not but what with the bands love affair with the drug during the 90's it probably is.