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 take time thinking about the moves I'm gonna have to make
I take time thinking about the rules I'm gonna have to break
it's always push and shoving
sometimes it comes to nothing
sometimes it's more than a mere mortal man can take
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
the day to day can become such a trip
the mediocre can make you lose your grip
it's all on you and what you've got
you can play it cool or make it hot
I pay the price and take my shot
stay up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
burning out, wearing thin
can't believe the shape you're in
there's always somebody who's gonna try to make it worse
there's always a line to stand in
as long as I'm still standing
you best believe I'm gonna make other plans
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it
up for it, up for it
I am up for it man
time, time, stop wasting mine, mine
don't stand their crying, crying
just make up your mind
time, time, stop wasting mine, mine
don't stand their crying, crying
just make up your mind
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it man
I take time thinking about what I'm gonna have to do
what it takes, how it is and when I'm gonna light the fuse
all this push and shoving in the end all amounts to nothing
I'll never get a second chance looking me in the face
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
the day to day can become such a grind
the mediocre can make you lose your mind
it's all on you and what you've got
you can play it cool or make it hot
I pay the price and take my shot
stay up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
? or now in future shock
by the numbers ? ? stop
there's always somebodys who's gonna try to take your brain
as long as they're selling something
I'll be smelling something
I've seen them come and go so many times
I'm up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
now what else are you gonna do?
I take time thinking about the rules I'm gonna have to break
it's always push and shoving
sometimes it comes to nothing
sometimes it's more than a mere mortal man can take
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
the day to day can become such a trip
the mediocre can make you lose your grip
it's all on you and what you've got
you can play it cool or make it hot
I pay the price and take my shot
stay up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
burning out, wearing thin
can't believe the shape you're in
there's always somebody who's gonna try to make it worse
there's always a line to stand in
as long as I'm still standing
you best believe I'm gonna make other plans
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it
up for it, up for it
I am up for it man
time, time, stop wasting mine, mine
don't stand their crying, crying
just make up your mind
time, time, stop wasting mine, mine
don't stand their crying, crying
just make up your mind
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it
stay up for it man
I take time thinking about what I'm gonna have to do
what it takes, how it is and when I'm gonna light the fuse
all this push and shoving in the end all amounts to nothing
I'll never get a second chance looking me in the face
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
the day to day can become such a grind
the mediocre can make you lose your mind
it's all on you and what you've got
you can play it cool or make it hot
I pay the price and take my shot
stay up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
I'm up for it
? or now in future shock
by the numbers ? ? stop
there's always somebodys who's gonna try to take your brain
as long as they're selling something
I'll be smelling something
I've seen them come and go so many times
I'm up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
I stay up for it
now what else are you gonna do?
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Sad that no one has commented on this song. It's a great multi-genre blend and was what got me into Rollins Band.
Anyways, the way I see it, Rollins is telling you to go out and do something to change your life for the better. Just staying static won't get you anywhere, and you need at times to take a chance and hope it brings you a rewarding experience. Though he's also saying that you shouldn't take a random risk and that the risks you take to make yourself better should be thought about long and hard. And honestly, it's the truth. Eventually you'll have to risk something to get somewhere, but if you think about it and get all the information you need, you'll end up making good choices to get ahead.