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.
It's been proven, hundreds over since,
The decision was the best that we could make.
If I wasn't clear enough before
That's not what I said,
And I bent over backwards just to speak.
If you've got things straight in your head
Then you've got bigger problems than me.
I'll send you straight to your room
Until you calm down,
Until you're thought through what you want to say.
This isn't me,
As much as it may seem
And you're still thinking
That's not what I said
And I bent over backwards just to speak.
If you won't let sleeping dogs die
Then I'm giving up on this one.
The decision was the best that we could make.
If I wasn't clear enough before
That's not what I said,
And I bent over backwards just to speak.
If you've got things straight in your head
Then you've got bigger problems than me.
I'll send you straight to your room
Until you calm down,
Until you're thought through what you want to say.
This isn't me,
As much as it may seem
And you're still thinking
That's not what I said
And I bent over backwards just to speak.
If you won't let sleeping dogs die
Then I'm giving up on this one.
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