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 am an American aquarium drinker
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hidin' out in the big city blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let go of you?
Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke, so please stop smiling
What was I thinkin' when I said it didn't hurt?
I wanna glide through those brown eyes dreamin'
Take it from the inside, baby, hold on tight
You were so right when you said I've been drinkin'
What was I thinkin' when we said goodnight?
I wanna hold you in the Bible-black predawn
You're quite a quiet domino, bury me now
Take off your Band-Aid 'cause I don't believe in touchdowns
What was I thinkin' when we said hello?
I always thought that if I held you tightly
You would always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep and the city kept blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let you back in?
I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart
Disposable Dixie-cup drinkin'
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hidin' out in the big city blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let go of you?
Loves you
I'm the man who loves you
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hidin' out in the big city blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let go of you?
Let's forget about the tongue-tied lightning
Let's undress just like cross-eyed strangers
This is not a joke, so please stop smiling
What was I thinkin' when I said it didn't hurt?
I wanna glide through those brown eyes dreamin'
Take it from the inside, baby, hold on tight
You were so right when you said I've been drinkin'
What was I thinkin' when we said goodnight?
I wanna hold you in the Bible-black predawn
You're quite a quiet domino, bury me now
Take off your Band-Aid 'cause I don't believe in touchdowns
What was I thinkin' when we said hello?
I always thought that if I held you tightly
You would always love me like you did back then
Then I fell asleep and the city kept blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let you back in?
I am trying to break your heart
I am trying to break your heart
But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy
I am trying to break your heart
Disposable Dixie-cup drinkin'
I assassin down the avenue
I'm hidin' out in the big city blinkin'
What was I thinkin' when I let go of you?
Loves you
I'm the man who loves you
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i assumed the "assasin down the avenue" part meant drinking and driving. i mean, if he just drank an aquarium's volume in alcohol, it makes sense.
to quote icy40oz: I like the "I assassin down the avenue" line. he doesn't just shuffle, walk or stalk...he assassins.
i like that interpreation a lot, but in my mind if he's assasining (um, pretend its a word), it really implies a sense of recklessness and disregard for anyone you might hurt, and for me that line is the one that gets across the alcoholism in this song the most strongly. i can just see a guy shitfaced and careening around in a car he can barely control