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 hate when you say you need me
You don't need me
I hate even worse
That I need you, it kills me
When I was young, I loved to be by myself, all alone
Now that I'm older, I'm scared of myself, all alone
So lay with me, my love
I hate when you say you know me
You don't know me
What I hate even worse
Is I know you, you're no mystery
You refuse to acknowledge how much you can't stand who I am
I've been trying to tell you that I've been a terrible man
I hate it when you call
So lonely after the bar
I know I should hang up the phone
But I never do
You don't need me
I hate even worse
That I need you, it kills me
When I was young, I loved to be by myself, all alone
Now that I'm older, I'm scared of myself, all alone
So lay with me, my love
I hate when you say you know me
You don't know me
What I hate even worse
Is I know you, you're no mystery
You refuse to acknowledge how much you can't stand who I am
I've been trying to tell you that I've been a terrible man
I hate it when you call
So lonely after the bar
I know I should hang up the phone
But I never do
Lyrics submitted by flashfyer
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this one's awesome
Lord yes, this is easily my favorite one on the album. I feel like its about a loveless and yet dependant relationship. Gah, it makes me want to give Tim Kasher a hug or something...
i love the line "you refuse to acknowledge how much you can't stand who I am"
i know people like that
I love the line when I was young, I loved to be by myself, all alone now that I'm older, I'm scared of myself, all alone this whole cd is quite a fucking bummer. but really,really good.
There's a mistake.
"I hate it when you come so lonely after the bar"
is actually, "I hate it when you CALL so lonely after the bar."
I love the line
::insert whole song here::
I think the song is simply about living in fear of change, pretending to love someone just to simply have someone with you. Kasher writes about being afraid of being alone as an adult, he wants someone there with them even if she hates his guts.
First of all I just love this song. I had to sign this song for my asl class and we had to sign what he was meaning, not what he was saying. I signed pretty much exactly what timexconsumer72 said about this song, i thought that was pretty neat. It's just basically about being with someone not out of love but out of fear.
this song kills me.
I agree with Timexconsumer72, this song really describes well the fear or being and/or dying alone. I'm sure most of us have been there or will be there. Who isn't scared of a planned future you once had with someone you used to love and it ending.
Does anyone else think Tim Kasher's voice in this song sounds like Brandon Flowers of the Killers?The Killers suck tho.