Inside
Van Halen Lyrics


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Man, what kinda crap is this?
I don't know
I, I thought it was really gonna be different this time and it is
Yeah, yeh-hey, I don't know man, we're dyin', we're dyin'
Hey, you got a point there, this is fat
You've actually got three points there
Oh yeah, hey, what they, where he'd get that clothes?
Outta your closet, yeah, you mean, you mean my wife's closet
J.C. Penny man. J.C. Penny

That's what's comin' down on the inside
Don't let this get around to the outside

Now listen here, it's not what you are, ya see, it's how ya dress
'Cause that's one thing I learned from these guys, I must confess
Now me look, I got this job not just bein' myself, huh
I went out, I bought some brand new shoes
Now I walk like someone else, hey

Maybe I'm crazy or just too high
But all this here can't be worth my piece of the pie

Sittin' around just gettin' high, temporarily pacified
I guess less is more

Somethin' special, gimme someone new
Some brand new groove to sink my teeth into/

Sittin' around just gettin' high, temporarily pacified

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, don't touch me there, okay?
Just don't do that, okay, oh, why? (just pay my accountant)

That's what's coming down on the inside
Don't let this get around to the outside, please, please, please

This ain't no party, this ain't no show
So don't you try to put no m-m-mojo
That's what's comin' down (on my butt, anyway, he, he)

(I, I, I, I don't feel so good) that's what's comin' down on the inside on the inside
(I'm serious man, I don't, I don't feel too good)
(Hey, let's blow it out here now man, alright?)
Let this get around, to the outside
(Eddie can't you read lips?) (I came into this thing with an open mind)
(Mike, Mike, what was that shit you gave me last night? that's what's comin' down on the inside

(Get out, operator calling, get out, operator) don't let this get around, to the outside
That's what's comin' down on the inside (okay, hello, hello?)
(This is the operator)(Hey Sammy, I found a hat and a pair of shoes are they yours?)
Don't let this get around, to the outside

That's what's comin' down on the inside
Don't let this get around to the outside
(Hey, is Greg back yet?)




(Alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony) that's what's comin' down on the inside
Don't let this get around to the outside

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Van Halen's song Inside seem to display the frustration of the singer with the situation they are in. They talk about wanting something new and exciting, but are held back by the monotony and mundanity of their current life. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with a sense of disappointment and confusion. The singer doesn't seem sure about what's happening, and they express their dissatisfaction with it. They talk about the pointlessness of their existence and the need for change.


The song then moves on to talk about the importance of appearances and how people often judge others solely based on their clothes. The singer seems to have had a realization about this and has changed their wardrobe to fit in. They feel like they are not being true to themselves, but they find that it's necessary to survive. The repeated line "Sittin' around just gettin' high, temporarily pacified" expresses the sense of boredom and disillusionment the character feels. They want something new and thrilling, and the current situation is not enough.


The song ends with a plea not to let what's happening on the inside get outside, implying that the singer doesn't want the world to know what's going on with them. Overall, the lyrics of Inside display a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the current situation, a desire for something new and exciting, and the importance of appearances.


Line by Line Meaning

Man, what kinda crap is this?
Expressing disappointment or dismay at the current situation


I don't know
Indicating uncertainty or confusion


I, I thought it was really gonna be different this time and it is
Acknowledging that things have changed from previous experiences or expectations


Yeah, yeh-hey, I don't know man, we're dyin', we're dyin'
Feeling as though the situation is bleak or hopeless


Hey, you got a point there, this is fat
Agreeing that someone else has made a good observation or point


You've actually got three points there
Acknowledging that someone else has made multiple good observations


Oh yeah, hey, what they, where he'd get that clothes?
Asking where someone obtained their clothing


Outta your closet, yeah, you mean, you mean my wife's closet
Realizing that one's clothing has similarities to someone else's


J.C. Penny man. J.C. Penny
Identifying the store where someone purchased their clothing


That's what's comin' down on the inside
Describing the negative or difficult situation that is being faced internally


Don't let this get around to the outside
Urging others not to share this negative situation with outside parties


Now listen here, it's not what you are, ya see, it's how ya dress
Stating that outward appearance is more important than one's internal identity


'Cause that's one thing I learned from these guys, I must confess
Admitting that someone else influenced one's beliefs or behavior


Now me look, I got this job not just bein' myself, huh
Admitting that one has to change in order to fit in or be successful in their job


I went out, I bought some brand new shoes
Explaining the steps that one took to alter their appearance


Now I walk like someone else, hey
Expressing that one's changed appearance has resulted in changed behavior


Maybe I'm crazy or just too high
Acknowledging that one's mental state may be affecting their interpretation of the situation


But all this here can't be worth my piece of the pie
Deciding that the current situation is not worth continued participation


Sittin' around just gettin' high, temporarily pacified
Describing the temporary relief that drug use provides from the negative situation


I guess less is more
Deciding that a smaller or simpler approach is better than overcomplicating the situation


Somethin' special, gimme someone new
Desiring someone or something different than the current situation


Some brand new groove to sink my teeth into/
Wanting a new and exciting opportunity to invest oneself in


Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, don't touch me there, okay?
Responding to unwanted physical touch or attention


Just don't do that, okay, oh, why? (just pay my accountant)
Offering a reason why the unwanted physical touch or attention is not acceptable


This ain't no party, this ain't no show
Clarifying that the current situation is not meant to be entertaining or fun


So don't you try to put no m-m-mojo
Warning others not to try and influence or manipulate the situation


(on my butt, anyway, he, he)
Adding a humorous aside to the previous statement


(I, I, I, I don't feel so good) that's what's comin' down on the inside on the inside
Describing a negative physical or emotional experience that is happening internally


(I'm serious man, I don't, I don't feel too good)
Reiterating that one is feeling unwell


(Hey, let's blow it out here now man, alright?)
Suggesting that everyone should stop worrying and have a good time


(Eddie can't you read lips?) (I came into this thing with an open mind)
Having a conversation about communication and expectations


(Mike, Mike, what was that shit you gave me last night? that's what's comin' down on the inside
Asking a question or sharing an experience related to drug use


(Get out, operator calling, get out, operator) don't let this get around, to the outside
Responding to a phone call and urging others not to share information externally


(Okay, hello, hello?)
Answering the phone and greeting the caller


(This is the operator)(Hey Sammy, I found a hat and a pair of shoes are they yours?)
Being contacted by someone who has found lost items and attempting to identify them


Don't let this get around, to the outside
Reiterating the importance of keeping the situation and information internally focused


That's what's comin' down on the inside
Reminding others of the negative or difficult situation that is occurring internally


Don't let this get around to the outside
Urging others to maintain confidentiality related to the internal situation


(Hey, is Greg back yet?)
Asking someone about their colleague's whereabouts


(Alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony, alimony) that's what's comin' down on the inside
Complaining about the financial burden of paying for alimony


Don't let this get around to the outside
Urging others to keep subject of the internal situation confidential




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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