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.
Well, it's a rainy night in Paris,
And I'm sitting by the Seine,
It's a pleasure to be soaking in the European rain,
Now my belly's full of fancy food and wine
Oh but in the morning there'll be hell to pay
Somewhere along the line
In the morning there'll be hell hell to pay
Somewhere along the line
Sweet Virginia cigarette burin' in my hand
Well you used to be a friend of mine but now I understand
You've been eating up inside me for some time
Oh and I know you're gonna get me
Somewhere along the line
Well I know you're gonna get me
Somewhere along the line
Somewhere along the line
Well I know it's just a matter of time
Well the fun falls through and the rent comes due
Somewhere along the line
Well you know I love my woman,
And I would not let her down,
And I did my share of lovin' when I used to get around
Now I'm satisfied,
And she is lookin' fine
Oh but you pay for your satisfaction
Somewhere along the line
But you pay for your satisfaction
Somewhere along the line
Hey it's good to be a young man
And to live the way you please
Yes a young man is the king of ev'ry kingdom that he sees
But there's an old and feeble man not far behind
Oh that surely will catch up to him
Somewhere along the line
That surely will catch up to him
Somewhere along the line
And I'm sitting by the Seine,
It's a pleasure to be soaking in the European rain,
Now my belly's full of fancy food and wine
Oh but in the morning there'll be hell to pay
Somewhere along the line
In the morning there'll be hell hell to pay
Somewhere along the line
Sweet Virginia cigarette burin' in my hand
Well you used to be a friend of mine but now I understand
You've been eating up inside me for some time
Oh and I know you're gonna get me
Somewhere along the line
Well I know you're gonna get me
Somewhere along the line
Somewhere along the line
Well I know it's just a matter of time
Well the fun falls through and the rent comes due
Somewhere along the line
Well you know I love my woman,
And I would not let her down,
And I did my share of lovin' when I used to get around
Now I'm satisfied,
And she is lookin' fine
Oh but you pay for your satisfaction
Somewhere along the line
But you pay for your satisfaction
Somewhere along the line
Hey it's good to be a young man
And to live the way you please
Yes a young man is the king of ev'ry kingdom that he sees
But there's an old and feeble man not far behind
Oh that surely will catch up to him
Somewhere along the line
That surely will catch up to him
Somewhere along the line
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"But you pay for your satisfaction Somewhere along the line"
what goes around comes around! I think this song is probably pretty autobiographical for Billy Joel