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.
i was born by an old streetlight
where the men lean out of
their windows at night
and i was a lead in the orphan choir,
and i sang with all my might
until i grew up
too high then oh,
all the notes i used to play
on the double bass in the b-list ballet
with only the night bugs to lead me home
with their sad-luck serenade
the rain was never ending,
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark
oh this will never change,
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid
so don't look for me in confession booth,
i'm with my paints and my pens
and my dry vermouth
trying to uncover
some small truth
with these cards close to my chest
the rain was never ending
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark
oh, this will never change
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid
the rain still never ending
the wonder in my heart
would light and glow in
it still lights and glows in the dark
where the men lean out of
their windows at night
and i was a lead in the orphan choir,
and i sang with all my might
until i grew up
too high then oh,
all the notes i used to play
on the double bass in the b-list ballet
with only the night bugs to lead me home
with their sad-luck serenade
the rain was never ending,
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark
oh this will never change,
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid
so don't look for me in confession booth,
i'm with my paints and my pens
and my dry vermouth
trying to uncover
some small truth
with these cards close to my chest
the rain was never ending
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark
oh, this will never change
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid
the rain still never ending
the wonder in my heart
would light and glow in
it still lights and glows in the dark
Lyrics submitted by nikolita
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