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 could hardly believe it
When I heard the news today
I had to come and get it straight from you
They said you were leavin'
Someone's swept your heart away
From that look upon your face, I see it's true
So tell me all about it
Tell me 'bout the plans you're makin'
Oh, tell me one thing more before I go
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
Too proud for cryin'
Didn't come here to break down
It's just a dream of mine is coming to an end
And how can I blame you
When I built my world around
The hope that one day
We'd be so much more than friends
I don't wanna know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, even now it's more than I can take
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
Now I don't wanna know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, now that your dream has come true
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
When I heard the news today
I had to come and get it straight from you
They said you were leavin'
Someone's swept your heart away
From that look upon your face, I see it's true
So tell me all about it
Tell me 'bout the plans you're makin'
Oh, tell me one thing more before I go
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
Too proud for cryin'
Didn't come here to break down
It's just a dream of mine is coming to an end
And how can I blame you
When I built my world around
The hope that one day
We'd be so much more than friends
I don't wanna know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, even now it's more than I can take
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
Now I don't wanna know the price I'm gonna pay for dreaming
Oh, now that your dream has come true
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Now that I've been lovin' you so long
How am I supposed to live without you?
And how am I supposed to carry on?
When all that I've been livin' for is gone
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yes, he sings it well. But does it seem to anyone else that all he does is whinge about some chick and how he didnt do anything to get her?