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.
Hey look yonder
What's that I see
Well that old bogus, honey
Comin' after me
I goin' told you
Was out of town
I wonder how she knowed
I was hangin' around
Say, listen babe
Don't go wastin' your time
You keep comin' 'round
You'll hear the same old line
You got a thousand boys
You say you need 'em
You take what's good for you
And I'll take my freedom
'Cause lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I gotta go the other way
(Heh, heh, heh)
I thought I knew her
My cagey lady
How come my sunshine
Was so damn shady
She'll say she love to talk
A conversation
But I'm the one
Who makes my situation
This one way city
That I thought I knew
It's such a pity, honey
That's it for you
'Cause lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I gotta go the other way
There's nothing over here
I never showed you
I made it pretty clear
I'm glad to know you
You know your brother Spike
He's on the level
But you always lookin'
Like you're mad at the devil
Don't say I cop a 'tude
It's all forgotten
It's just you're much too rude
Your fruits are rotten
You know I work so hard to keep it alive
Now all I hear from you
Is nothing but jive
Lately it's been so hard
Now to make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I'm goin' on the other way
Yes I do!
And lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I really been feelin'
Like I could be movin' on
You're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody you meet
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody but me
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody you meet
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody but me...
You got to get yourself back on your feet
What's that I see
Well that old bogus, honey
Comin' after me
I goin' told you
Was out of town
I wonder how she knowed
I was hangin' around
Say, listen babe
Don't go wastin' your time
You keep comin' 'round
You'll hear the same old line
You got a thousand boys
You say you need 'em
You take what's good for you
And I'll take my freedom
'Cause lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I gotta go the other way
(Heh, heh, heh)
I thought I knew her
My cagey lady
How come my sunshine
Was so damn shady
She'll say she love to talk
A conversation
But I'm the one
Who makes my situation
This one way city
That I thought I knew
It's such a pity, honey
That's it for you
'Cause lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I gotta go the other way
There's nothing over here
I never showed you
I made it pretty clear
I'm glad to know you
You know your brother Spike
He's on the level
But you always lookin'
Like you're mad at the devil
Don't say I cop a 'tude
It's all forgotten
It's just you're much too rude
Your fruits are rotten
You know I work so hard to keep it alive
Now all I hear from you
Is nothing but jive
Lately it's been so hard
Now to make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I'm goin' on the other way
Yes I do!
And lately it's been so hard
To make ends meet
And honey, you're headin' down a
One way street
And I really been feelin'
Like I could be movin' on
You're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody you meet
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody but me
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody you meet
I said, you're headin' down a one way street
You're foolin' everybody but me...
You got to get yourself back on your feet
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Such an awesome song. I can't beleive there are no comments on it. I think it's about a guy who was used by a promiscous woman and now he's telling her to piss off.