Can't Get This Stuff No More
Van Halen Lyrics


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Got me a date with a supermodel. Ha ha ha
I know, I know I figured "Fuck it"
Dinner at the hotel, champagne bottle
Steak and potatoes, a feather in a bucket

Tell me what is it we're pretendin'?
Not to know, and who needs proof?
I don't need so much to remember
No, no. That's how it is, when you tell the truth
Woo!

How many times does somebody lie
'Til patience (Ahh-ahh-ahh) runs her course?
Keep that in mind, when we say goodbye
'Cuz you can't (Ahh-ahh-ahh) get this stuff no more

That's the thing about self-improvement
Don't get me wrong, I plan on gettin' some soon
Outside the wire somethin's movin'
The barn burnt down now I can see the moon

A slice at a time, like a pizza pie
You (Ahh-ahh-ahh) serve up the truth, don't want it anymore
Keep that in mind, when we say goodbye
'Cuz you can't (Ahh-ahh-ahh) get this stuff no more

Woo!

How many times does somebody lie
'Fore (Ahh-ahh-ahh) patience runs her course?
Keep that in mind when we say goodbye
'Cuz you can't (Ahh-ahh-ahh) get this stuff no more

(A slice at a time) Wha-oh yeah!

Wha-oh! (Ahh-ahh-ahh) Can't get that stuff no more!
Better keep that in mind! (Keep it in mind)
When we say our goodbyes
'Cuz you can't get this stuff no more-ah!





Not this stuff baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Van Halen's song Can't Get This Stuff No More seem to be about the idea of being disillusioned with the superficiality of fame and fortune. The first verse describes the singer's date with a supermodel, which initially seems exciting and glamorous. But then the singer muses on the facade that celebrities have to maintain in order to be successful, asking "Tell me what is it we're pretendin'?/Not to know, and who needs proof?" The line "That's how it is when you tell the truth" may be suggesting that the singer is trying to be honest about the emptiness of fame and fortune, even though it's not what people want to hear.


The chorus repeats the phrase "you can't get this stuff no more" several times, which could refer to the idea that once you achieve a certain level of fame and success, there's no going back, and you can never have a normal life again. The second verse talks about "self-improvement" and the singer's desire to change his life for the better, but there's a sense that something is holding him back. The line "The barn burnt down now I can see the moon" might symbolize the idea that losing everything can be a chance to start over and see things clearly.


Overall, the song seems to be grappling with the disillusionment that can come with success and the desire to find genuine meaning in life despite the trapping of fame and fortune.


Line by Line Meaning

Got me a date with a supermodel. Ha ha ha
I finally landed a date with someone who is widely considered perfect in society, and that is something to laugh about in disbelief and satisfaction.


I know, I know I figured "Fuck it"
I am aware that pursuing someone who is considered out of my league is risky and improbable, but I decided to take a chance anyway.


Dinner at the hotel, champagne bottle, Steak and potatoes, a feather in a bucket
I arranged for an extravagant evening meal in a fancy hotel room, complete with a bottle of expensive champagne and a hearty meal presented in an ornamental manner.


Tell me what is it we're pretendin'?, Not to know, and who needs proof?
Let's stop pretending that we don't know what's going on or that we need evidence to prove it; we're both aware of what we're getting into, and we don't need any more confirmation than that.


I don't need so much to remember, No, no. That's how it is, when you tell the truth
I won't have any trouble recounting what happened tonight because there isn't much to remember in the first place when everything you say is the truth.


Woo!, How many times does somebody lie 'Til patience (Ahh-ahh-ahh) runs her course?
I'm celebrating that I won't have to worry about losing my patience with her since she won't be lying to me.


Keep that in mind, when we say goodbye, 'Cuz you can't (Ahh-ahh-ahh) get this stuff no more
Remember not to burn any bridges tonight because what we have together is special and scarce, and you won't be able to experience it again.


That's the thing about self-improvement, Don't get me wrong, I plan on gettin' some soon
I believe in the importance of self-improvement, but don't mistake my focus on it as a lack of interest in seeing you again soon.


Outside the wire somethin's movin', The barn burnt down now I can see the moon
There is something happening outside of our current situation, and I'm becoming aware of it; now that I can see the bigger picture, I can appreciate what's important in life.


A slice at a time, like a pizza pie, You (Ahh-ahh-ahh) serve up the truth, don't want it anymore
I'm comfortable with the truth coming at me slowly, as if delivered in slices like a pizza, and now that I have it, I don't want anything else.


Wha-oh! (Ahh-ahh-ahh) Can't get that stuff no more!, Better keep that in mind! (Keep it in mind), When we say our goodbyes
Repeating the earlier sentiment that what we have here is special and short-lived, and when it ends, it can't be duplicated or found again.


'Cuz you can't get this stuff no more-ah!, Not this stuff baby
I'm emphasizing one last time that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that we won't be able to recapture it if we part ways tonight.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALEX VAN HALEN, EDWARD VAN HALEN, MICHAEL ANTHONY, DAVID LEE ROTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

killthedead23

Rest in peace, Edward Van Halen.

Dakota Barrett

The reason why I play guitar -- "Keep playing!"

Ulises River

@Nathan Crosby Instablaster =)

Jac Sig

@Allen Baxter I see your Grateful Dead logo. Yes Ed and Jerry Garcia are both legends.

Jac Sig

It's been 7 months today. 😥

5 More Replies...

Robert Petty

Dave’s vocals are strong here. Incredible song.

Aaron Allenson

This sounds like a cut that should have been on 1984. If it were it would have been another monster classic for them. Absolute jam.

Swanlord

I think it would have fit VH2

Eric Hoodicoff

Wicked riff, catchy chorus, one of my favorite solos from Eddie, THEN... That last chorus: one of Dave’s finest moments. Such an underrated song!

GT RW

I truly believe if Diamond Dave and VH made an album in 1996 it would've gone down as one of the best of all time

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