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.
Six years ago, a very hot summer night, ave a with friends hanging tight
No future, no goals, and no destiny, hanging on the corner
For the world to see
Some friends drunk, some friends high
Laughing talking shit as the people walked by
The air was tense and muggy as fuck, lower east side running amuck
Guilty by association, judged by who I know
Can't keep all my friends out of trouble
When they got no place to go
Me drug free in the midst of it all
Crazy fucking summer hanging out with madball
People got their ass kicked, people got hurt
But I was accepted for all it was worth
Bad reputations are hard to live down
I'm not guilty for who I hang around
Sometimes I felt like an outcast, trying to talk my friends out of trouble
Tried to be a positive role model, but I got caught up in the rumble
We had ideas scribbled on walls, six years later, our destiny calls
Living our lives, some of us in bands
Touring the world, but we know where we stand
'Cause when we play shows together or just hanging out
We're still the same fellas, still all tight, young till we die
And ready to fight for what's right
As I look back now on that summer vacation
I realize, I'll always be guilty by association
No future, no goals, and no destiny, hanging on the corner
For the world to see
Some friends drunk, some friends high
Laughing talking shit as the people walked by
The air was tense and muggy as fuck, lower east side running amuck
Guilty by association, judged by who I know
Can't keep all my friends out of trouble
When they got no place to go
Me drug free in the midst of it all
Crazy fucking summer hanging out with madball
People got their ass kicked, people got hurt
But I was accepted for all it was worth
Bad reputations are hard to live down
I'm not guilty for who I hang around
Sometimes I felt like an outcast, trying to talk my friends out of trouble
Tried to be a positive role model, but I got caught up in the rumble
We had ideas scribbled on walls, six years later, our destiny calls
Living our lives, some of us in bands
Touring the world, but we know where we stand
'Cause when we play shows together or just hanging out
We're still the same fellas, still all tight, young till we die
And ready to fight for what's right
As I look back now on that summer vacation
I realize, I'll always be guilty by association
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These guys totally rock...I saw one of their shows while they were on tour with Sum 41, and they're a HELL OF A LOT BETTER than Sum 41. THEY TOTALLY ROCK LIVE!! Can't wait to see another one of their shows.