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.
Patience at times when its tough makes it
Easy to lose sight in what you strive for so
Much that's why I never trust anyone who tries
To know me, that means to get the best of me
That's either my best friend or my enemy
Philosophy is my strategy either way it be
Society plays a role for me that's called
Lunacy to the tensions and the frustrations that
Are unmentioned to the dome either way you
Can look at it if things are left unsaid it
Remains alone I've tried so hard just to
Get to where I am whether or not you recognize
No you can't deny this but you won't get it
'Cause I won't let it ever be a factor cause
I know that's what your after humiliation is
Your destiny for you to get the best of me
You met your match so don't test me or-
You'll get smacked up
You'll get smacked up
Don't talk that crazy-ish to me
You better back up
Not from the ghetto but from the get go
Can't let go what I know, mad flow
I manifest with lyrical bless release that
Stress not claimin' the best but I'm preachin'
The test, 22 invested ingested it's like an
Everyday thing man pecker wood slang man
We don't pop collars and we don't pop Krys
We don't smoke trees we puff the dirty shit
We don't roll with players cause we some O.G.'s
We flip two turntables man fuck them CD's
I don't sport ice and I won't thread designers
Dickies to my chucks I consume at Mel's Diner
Champagne and caviar makes me feel sick
I won't game a trick unless she sucks a good (whoo)
Dirty dirty, ya'll done heard me
Rollin' in my ride rockin' side to side
Go ahead and talk all that-ish man
But you know you ain't got-ish to back it
Go ahead and talk all that shit man
But you know we got shit to back it, what?
Easy to lose sight in what you strive for so
Much that's why I never trust anyone who tries
To know me, that means to get the best of me
That's either my best friend or my enemy
Philosophy is my strategy either way it be
Society plays a role for me that's called
Lunacy to the tensions and the frustrations that
Are unmentioned to the dome either way you
Can look at it if things are left unsaid it
Remains alone I've tried so hard just to
Get to where I am whether or not you recognize
No you can't deny this but you won't get it
'Cause I won't let it ever be a factor cause
I know that's what your after humiliation is
Your destiny for you to get the best of me
You met your match so don't test me or-
You'll get smacked up
You'll get smacked up
Don't talk that crazy-ish to me
You better back up
Not from the ghetto but from the get go
Can't let go what I know, mad flow
I manifest with lyrical bless release that
Stress not claimin' the best but I'm preachin'
The test, 22 invested ingested it's like an
Everyday thing man pecker wood slang man
We don't pop collars and we don't pop Krys
We don't smoke trees we puff the dirty shit
We don't roll with players cause we some O.G.'s
We flip two turntables man fuck them CD's
I don't sport ice and I won't thread designers
Dickies to my chucks I consume at Mel's Diner
Champagne and caviar makes me feel sick
I won't game a trick unless she sucks a good (whoo)
Dirty dirty, ya'll done heard me
Rollin' in my ride rockin' side to side
Go ahead and talk all that-ish man
But you know you ain't got-ish to back it
Go ahead and talk all that shit man
But you know we got shit to back it, what?
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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this song is funny cause i have a friend named ish! hah;)