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 an obsession,
A kind of aggression with himself
It's the way he'll always be
He loves to rebel
To go against his ten commandments
For him, that's just being free
And he always will,
Get his thrills,
The only way he knows how
Well it might make you frown
But he just loves,
Being that dove,
Roaming where he cares to go
To a state of mind
Which no one knows
[Chorus]
Over there stands my angry angel
And he's shaking his head,
In disgrace with me
Over there stands my angry angel
And he's frowning like hell,
But I'm not feeling guilty
Over and over again,
More and more for the pain
To release himself, from this shell
Time after time, you may glare at
Him for the way he looks like something
Drawn up from hell
But that's just his cover
From what is under it
All his imagination,
His passion for a creation
Which he has discovered,
Uncovered a world,
Of amazing sensations
His own little nation
[Chorus]
I don't care, I don't care,
I don't care, I don't care,
I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care
[Chorus: x2]
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
'Cause I don't care
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
Well I'm not feeling guilty,
'Cause I don't care.
A kind of aggression with himself
It's the way he'll always be
He loves to rebel
To go against his ten commandments
For him, that's just being free
And he always will,
Get his thrills,
The only way he knows how
Well it might make you frown
But he just loves,
Being that dove,
Roaming where he cares to go
To a state of mind
Which no one knows
[Chorus]
Over there stands my angry angel
And he's shaking his head,
In disgrace with me
Over there stands my angry angel
And he's frowning like hell,
But I'm not feeling guilty
Over and over again,
More and more for the pain
To release himself, from this shell
Time after time, you may glare at
Him for the way he looks like something
Drawn up from hell
But that's just his cover
From what is under it
All his imagination,
His passion for a creation
Which he has discovered,
Uncovered a world,
Of amazing sensations
His own little nation
[Chorus]
I don't care, I don't care,
I don't care, I don't care,
I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care, and I don't care
And I don't care
[Chorus: x2]
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
'Cause I don't care
I'm not feeling guilty,
I'm not feeling guilty,
Well I'm not feeling guilty,
'Cause I don't care.
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I have to say I dissagree with all of you actually. When I read this I didn't think of the angry angel as another person. From my point of view the angry angel is her inner anger.
"He loves to rebel To go against his ten commandments For him, that's just being free" It's when she lets her anger outside and just feeds it.
"But that's just his cover From what is under it All his imagination His passion for a creation Which he has discovered Uncovered a world Of amazing sensations His own little nation" I think that part says that inside the anger and frustration lies a great power that can be used in a good way. To be creative etc.
"I'm not feeling guilty 'Cause I don't care" That part, for me, means that she knows her inner anger and is fully aware of him wanting to get out. Still she can control him and use him in the way she wants to without feeling guilt, 'cause he's a part of her and she's in control of herself.
Well, that's just the way I thought about it:)