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 time you got it all figured out.
Think it's gonna work okay but I'll make sure it won't cause I'll be standing in your way.
So wait a minute if you will.
I ain't got no time but time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
This time you've seen it done before.
This time your gonna get it right.
Once more you fail miserably and then, then you do it all over again.
So wait a minute if you will.
I ain't got no time but time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
You're once a failure twice a fool.
I will - Knock knock.
If you won't - Knock knock.
You're damned - Knock knock.
If you don't - Knock knock.
You did fine - Knock knock.
Now you're mine - Knock knock.
You avoided everything except for me.
I'm busting in won't pick the lock I'm busting in - Knock knock.
I've seen your sort before.
You are nothing new cause my name is failure and failure is gonna come to you.
Save me lord and I will.
This time I got the time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
You're once a failure twice a fool.
I will - Knock knock.
If you won't - Knock knock.
You're damned - Knock knock.
If you don't - Knock knock.
You did fine - Knock knock.
Now you're mine - Knock knock.
You avoided everything except for me.
I'm busting in won't pick the lock I'm busting in - Knock knock I'm busting in - Knock knock.
Knock Knock In knock knock.
Think it's gonna work okay but I'll make sure it won't cause I'll be standing in your way.
So wait a minute if you will.
I ain't got no time but time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
This time you've seen it done before.
This time your gonna get it right.
Once more you fail miserably and then, then you do it all over again.
So wait a minute if you will.
I ain't got no time but time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
You're once a failure twice a fool.
I will - Knock knock.
If you won't - Knock knock.
You're damned - Knock knock.
If you don't - Knock knock.
You did fine - Knock knock.
Now you're mine - Knock knock.
You avoided everything except for me.
I'm busting in won't pick the lock I'm busting in - Knock knock.
I've seen your sort before.
You are nothing new cause my name is failure and failure is gonna come to you.
Save me lord and I will.
This time I got the time to kill.
When the ground starts getting hot it doesn't matter if you run or not.
You're once a failure twice a fool.
I will - Knock knock.
If you won't - Knock knock.
You're damned - Knock knock.
If you don't - Knock knock.
You did fine - Knock knock.
Now you're mine - Knock knock.
You avoided everything except for me.
I'm busting in won't pick the lock I'm busting in - Knock knock I'm busting in - Knock knock.
Knock Knock In knock knock.
Lyrics submitted by harmonicApparition
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i have no idea what this song is going on about but jeez is it good to sing along too
HELL YEA! did anyone see them perfrom at the VMA's? They totally rocked the place! Thats pretty much the only reason i watched the VMA's.....any i wanted to see The White Stripes win. :)
this one gets me really pumped!!
When I heard this song the first time way way back i thought of .... VENGEANCE!!!
Like, you will fail or i'll make you if you don't ... and you KNOW I'm watching!
I believe Howlin' Pelle is supposed to just be failure personified in this song. He's out to make sure that the (unnamed) subject doesn't succeed at his/her (unnamed) goal. Very powerful song, and it can mean a variety of things to the listener, so it hits home in a number of situations.