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're no rock n' roll fun
Like a party that's over
Before it's begun
You're no walk in the park
More like a shot in the dark
With clues left for no one
All the boys in the band
Know how to get down
Fill our Christmas socks
With whiskey drinks and chocolate bars
When the evening ends
We won't be thinking of you then
Although the best man
Won't hang out with the girl band
The girl band
You're no rock n' roll fun
Like a piece of art
That no one can touch
Your head's always up in the clouds
Writing your songs
Won't you ever come down?
All the boys in the band
Know how to get down
Fill our Christmas socks
With whiskey drinks and chocolate bars
When the evening ends
We won't be thinking of you then
Even if your song
Is playing on the jukebox
The jukebox
You wanna party with the lights on
Come on I like the dark
You always wanna hear the same old song
Come on play another song
Coz you're no rock n' roll fun
Like a party that's over
Before it's begun
You're no walk in the park
More like a shot in the dark
With clues left for no one
You're no rock n' roll fun
(repeat x4)
Like a party that's over
Before it's begun
You're no walk in the park
More like a shot in the dark
With clues left for no one
All the boys in the band
Know how to get down
Fill our Christmas socks
With whiskey drinks and chocolate bars
When the evening ends
We won't be thinking of you then
Although the best man
Won't hang out with the girl band
The girl band
You're no rock n' roll fun
Like a piece of art
That no one can touch
Your head's always up in the clouds
Writing your songs
Won't you ever come down?
All the boys in the band
Know how to get down
Fill our Christmas socks
With whiskey drinks and chocolate bars
When the evening ends
We won't be thinking of you then
Even if your song
Is playing on the jukebox
The jukebox
You wanna party with the lights on
Come on I like the dark
You always wanna hear the same old song
Come on play another song
Coz you're no rock n' roll fun
Like a party that's over
Before it's begun
You're no walk in the park
More like a shot in the dark
With clues left for no one
You're no rock n' roll fun
(repeat x4)
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I like it too! When I first saw the video for it, I was kind of surprised to see them doing the generic "band playing and dancing around" video. I mean, they've only made 2 thus far, you'd think they'd want to make another really deep and meaningful one, ya know?
But then I was thinking it IS a fun video, and maybe there is also a little sarcasm in it? Like they're poking fun at all the sugary pop singers or something? Opinions?
I read in a show review website that this song is about bands/musicians who are not really down to earth. it makes sense, cos they say "you're no rock'n'roll fun" cos they are "like a piece of art that no one can touch their head is "always up in the clouds" writing their songs, so s-k asks "won't you ever come down?"
"And all the boys in the band know how to get down fill our Christmas socks with whiskey drinks and chocolate bars and when the evening ends we won't be thinking of you then Although the best man won't hang out with the girl band!"
I think this part is both about boy bands' attitudes against girl bands, like "yeah, they are cool and alright but the best man won't hang out with us. cos he's too arrogant." and still about the "high and mighty" rockers when she says "and when the evening ends we won't be thinking of you then" cos "you're no rock'n'roll fun"
that's part of what the reviewer and part of what I think about the song. and about the video, I think it might as well be pure rock'n'roll fun, without all the fuss about being too cool to have fun. and with a sweet twist at the end when we see a guy turning carrie's platform around, which could mean "we are no superheros, this is how it's done. so see him too!" or I'm just crazy :)
anyways it's very sweet song.
hahaha such an awesome song! i suggest downloading it.
one of the greatest pop songs I've ever heard
I'm not familiar with this band at all, so maybe that's just how they play, but in the video it seems like they're playing in a stereotypically male way, showing off and all. And that switches with them dancing around and wearing makeup, which is maybe women's stereotypical place in music. I'm just interpreting it that way because of the comments here though--before that I was just like "oh man, they play awesome!"
especially with the shiny stars and the rotating platforms.
I read in an interview that YNRRF was written about a certain band s-k had the 'pleasure' of supporting with a female lead singer. Any ideas?
hey..i noticed the other day in this clip. janet keeps changing. one second she has her sparkly jacket on. then it's off. then she has a red hat on. then it's off. then she's just wearing a shirt.
i don't know if this was done on purpose.? or not.
and on the bands website. when they have a photo of the crew from this video clip. someone in the crew is wearing janets red hat.
yeah..just weird things i notice.
great song.! i dance to it often.
this is about James Mercer of The Shins
"[the song] was about a certain kind of arrogant, self serious indie boy. ... it was retaliation you could sing along to..." \n\n-Carrie\'s Book