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.
There is a cat in the window of the house of my lover
Where she sleeps there alone now or perhaps with another
But I try not to think about that, I try not to think at all
I get cocaine from this girl I met and my brother buys me alcohol
And I stay up all night walking through these houses I have grown to hate
And my parents ask if I'm all right, I say, "I've just been staying up too late"
I need to sleep
I need to do something to get this awful weight up off my chest
And keep her pretty ghost from chasing me
You say there are spaces open and wide
You say there are days longer than nights
And I could be happy if only I'd try, but I don't try
I don't try
And you speak of a fever that burns you inside
As you explain to your mother how you have wanted to die
So she kisses your fingers and says, "My darling, but why?
When there is so much more, there is so much more
Do you know there are spaces open and wide?
Believe me, there are days longer than nights
And you will be happy the minute you try
So won't you try?
Won't you try?"
Where she sleeps there alone now or perhaps with another
But I try not to think about that, I try not to think at all
I get cocaine from this girl I met and my brother buys me alcohol
And I stay up all night walking through these houses I have grown to hate
And my parents ask if I'm all right, I say, "I've just been staying up too late"
I need to sleep
I need to do something to get this awful weight up off my chest
And keep her pretty ghost from chasing me
You say there are spaces open and wide
You say there are days longer than nights
And I could be happy if only I'd try, but I don't try
I don't try
And you speak of a fever that burns you inside
As you explain to your mother how you have wanted to die
So she kisses your fingers and says, "My darling, but why?
When there is so much more, there is so much more
Do you know there are spaces open and wide?
Believe me, there are days longer than nights
And you will be happy the minute you try
So won't you try?
Won't you try?"
Lyrics submitted by bright eyes burn me, edited by mirrorsfev
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