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.
So here you are in your small little world
Kept up like a little precious virgin girl
To hear 'bout your grace and your silly face
Wrapped up like a knot in a ball of shoelace
And everytime I talk to you
It sounds like you're caught in a psychological flu
Don't ever let them see you cheat
Don't ever let them see you bleed
Don't ever let them shake your hand
Don't ever let them believe that scam
Skinny
And it will make you cry
Skinny
And it will make you lie
Skinny
And if it makes you soft inside
Skinny
At least you will not die
And if you take a good look at them
All caught up in their graciousless win
Every sin is their seamless smile
Will go on for a countless while
And just because they think they won
It just means that the shit has just begun
Don't ever let them see you cheat
Don't ever let them see you beat
Don't ever let them shake your hand
Don't ever let them believe that scam
Skinny
And it will make you cry
Skinny
And it will make you lie
Skinny
And if it makes you soft inside
Skinny
At least you will not die
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Kept up like a little precious virgin girl
To hear 'bout your grace and your silly face
Wrapped up like a knot in a ball of shoelace
And everytime I talk to you
It sounds like you're caught in a psychological flu
Don't ever let them see you cheat
Don't ever let them see you bleed
Don't ever let them shake your hand
Don't ever let them believe that scam
Skinny
And it will make you cry
Skinny
And it will make you lie
Skinny
And if it makes you soft inside
Skinny
At least you will not die
And if you take a good look at them
All caught up in their graciousless win
Every sin is their seamless smile
Will go on for a countless while
And just because they think they won
It just means that the shit has just begun
Don't ever let them see you cheat
Don't ever let them see you beat
Don't ever let them shake your hand
Don't ever let them believe that scam
Skinny
And it will make you cry
Skinny
And it will make you lie
Skinny
And if it makes you soft inside
Skinny
At least you will not die
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Yeah, skinny, skinny, huh
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Skinny Lyrics as written by Richard Michael Patrick Geno Lenardo
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this is such an amazing song. this is one of those songs that i just blast on my cd player and lay on my floor to listen to. I love the lines, "and just because they think they won, it just means that their shit has just begun." how very true....