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.
What was the point of all of those migraines?
If life's so short don't spend it my way
Try to avoid a pointless time change
If you wanna see the world don't take the highway
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll take some time
It'll make you glad
To have what you had again
This isn't how it ends
This isn't where we put down our pens
Go tell the businessmen
This isn't how it ends
Go sell your shares
If you're so worried
If life's so short
What's your hurry?
When you get there
You'll tell the jury
That you didn't wanna get involved
'Cause you want mercy
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll make you cry
When you make amends
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
When it ends
Where we can finally put down our pens
Go tell the businessmen
If this is how it ends
I want my money back
I wanna watch 'em all overreact
Don't tell me not to laugh
Don't tell me how it ends
Whoa
Whoa
Oh
Oh
Oh
If you wanna dance
Wanna dance
You can dance
It'll take
It'll make
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll make you cry
When you make amends
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
If life's so short don't spend it my way
Try to avoid a pointless time change
If you wanna see the world don't take the highway
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll take some time
It'll make you glad
To have what you had again
This isn't how it ends
This isn't where we put down our pens
Go tell the businessmen
This isn't how it ends
Go sell your shares
If you're so worried
If life's so short
What's your hurry?
When you get there
You'll tell the jury
That you didn't wanna get involved
'Cause you want mercy
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll make you cry
When you make amends
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
When it ends
Where we can finally put down our pens
Go tell the businessmen
If this is how it ends
I want my money back
I wanna watch 'em all overreact
Don't tell me not to laugh
Don't tell me how it ends
Whoa
Whoa
Oh
Oh
Oh
If you wanna dance
Wanna dance
You can dance
It'll take
It'll make
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
If you wanna dance again
You can dance again
Use a lifeline
Honey, phone a friend
It'll make you cry
When you make amends
Who wants a millionaire
When you can have a friend?
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