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.
This is no good way out
But it's a challenge or so I see it
Death's head upon my wall
Afield lies nothing but disorder
No good can come of this
Whatsoever I can tell you
No good will ever come of this
The road to happiness I never knew
I read a letter I never sent
And saw me smiling on a picture
This is nothing I remember
Whatever made me feel so
There are children
On the freeway
I have my ways
Playing with death
But it's a challenge or so I see it
Death's head upon my wall
Afield lies nothing but disorder
No good can come of this
Whatsoever I can tell you
No good will ever come of this
The road to happiness I never knew
I read a letter I never sent
And saw me smiling on a picture
This is nothing I remember
Whatever made me feel so
There are children
On the freeway
I have my ways
Playing with death
Lyrics submitted by lemonie_fresh
No Good Can Come of This Lyrics as written by Jonas Petter Renkse Anders Nystrom
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
No good can come of this captures perfectly the horrible and hopeless feeling that you get when something goes terribly wrong and there is nothing you can do to about it. The song always reminds me of times when things have gone wrong and I have wanted so badly to act and do something to change the situation and make things right again, but nothing can be done, or my actions after have only made things worse.
The song may also be about suicide "This is no good way out". The children on a freeway part is difficult to understand, I've always thought of it as someone in total and complete dismay who feels anger toward the rest of the world for the amount of misfortune they have suffered in life.