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.
Once there was this kid who
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed him so hard
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Once there was this girl who
Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room
And when they finally made her
They saw birthmarks all over her body
She couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just been there
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
But both girl and boy were glad
'Cause one kid had it worse than that
'Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just gone there
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Got into an accident and couldn't come to school
But when he finally came back
His hair had turned from black into bright white
He said that it was from when
The cars had smashed him so hard
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Once there was this girl who
Wouldn't go and change with the girls in the change room
And when they finally made her
They saw birthmarks all over her body
She couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just been there
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
But both girl and boy were glad
'Cause one kid had it worse than that
'Cause then there was this boy whose
Parents made him come directly home right after school
And when they went to their church
They shook and lurched all over the church floor
He couldn't quite explain it
They'd always just gone there
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
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I think it's a commentary to physical vs. emotional "trials". The first boys experienced an event that injured him and left him physically changed, the girl had extensive natural blemishes. Exactly as the lyrics say, neither knew why, they just knew they were different, but none the less had these circles of people around them. However, they were still better off than the kid whose parents mentally brainwashed him...who was not allowed to socialize, was not allowed to go out, and was obviously being raised in some cultish church that he didn't know what any of it meant or why...he was simply being blindly raised to be a shut in and follow an idealogy that wasn't being explained, just, "You do it." So that's my take, physical differences can be challenging, but emotional brainwashing and not being you're own person is more damning.
@WVOtter I think this is the exact meaning of the song. It's pretty straight forward.<br /> <br /> I agree.
@WVOtter I think you are hitting it right on the mark. It is about being different in a way that you cannot easily hide. I understand this because the 2nd verse about the birthmarks perfectly describes me growing up. I have them all over my body and it made a lot of school difficult. Its probably why I only kept up with a handful of people from school and when I moved away I never really had a desire to return. <br /> Though I think in the end it might have been a good thing. You become much more understanding toward people. You can either be more understanding or critical of people after experiencing that. I am glad I chose understanding.