The Trouble With Never
Van Halen Lyrics


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You often wonder,
You wanna know
How deep does
The rabbit hole go?

I know you never thought about it
But ask yourself later
When you turn on your stereo
Does it return the favor?

I gotta know

That's the trouble with never,
Sure seems like a mighty long time
That's the trouble with never
When was the last time
You did something for the first time?

Hello

Every Einstein's assigned
A tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber
Any old fool could see
Never even wonder

Yeah we could come together
I will call for you
Hey, never's good for me
How's never sound to you?

1-800-tell-me-babe

That's the trouble with never
Sure may be a mighty long time
That's the trouble with never
When was the last time
You did something for the first time?

Yeah
Level with me baby
Talk to me, woo

This could
Damage your reputation
My wicked wicked ways
But maybe I just will
Since you put it that way
Delusions of eloquence?
You never can say
You wanna play
The game?
You can't quit when you get played
"Mistakes make people"
Isn't that what people say?
Let's un-plan the moment
Dance the night away
Selective amnesia
Is only a heartbeat away

A simple question
Concerning time
"Suppose you wait forever
And then you change your mind?"

Oh, no

That's the trouble with never
Sure could be a mighty long time
That's the trouble with never
When was the last time
You did something for the first time?

When was it?
When was it?
Ah, text me baby

When baby? Tell me




When was the last time baby?
Show me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Van Halen's song "The Trouble With Never" pose a simple but profound question about time and the human experience. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, asking how far down the metaphorical "rabbit hole" of life we can go. The second stanza invites further reflection, suggesting that perhaps we rarely consider the reciprocal relationship between ourselves and our experiences. Do we give back to the things that shape us? The chorus then introduces the titular phrase, "the trouble with never," lamenting the potential for missed opportunities and stagnation that such an outlook can bring. Throughout the song, the singer seems to be urging their audience to take risks and try new things, to make memories worth cherishing.


The following verses continue this theme, with the singer encouraging the listener to break out of their comfort zone, to stop being passive observers of their own lives. There are elements of curiosity, defiance, and even romantic interest in these lines, creating a complex emotional landscape for the song. The bridge, which quotes a common saying about mistakes and growth, encapsulates the message of the song in a single line. The chorus repeats again, with growing urgency, before the song ends on a plaintive note, with the singer still seeking answers to the question posed in the first stanza.


Line by Line Meaning

You often wonder,
You frequently ponder on something,


You wanna know
You desire to understand something,


How deep does
What is the extent of


The rabbit hole go?
One's curiosity about the unknown that lies ahead


I know you never thought about it
I am aware that this hasn't crossed your mind before


But ask yourself later
Reflect on this at a later point


When you turn on your stereo
When you play music


Does it return the favor?
Does it satisfy your expectation for it?


I gotta know
I am curious to find out


That's the trouble with never,
The problem with not doing something


Sure seems like a mighty long time
It appears like quite a lengthy period


That's the trouble with never
The negative aspect of not taking action


When was the last time
At what point in time recently


You did something for the first time?
You attempted something new for the initial time?


Every Einstein's assigned
Each person is labeled as someone exceptional


A tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber
An insult to those supposed 'dumb' or unintelligent


Any old fool could see
It is evident and obvious to nearly anyone


Never even wonder
Without any thought or curiosity


Yeah we could come together
We can unite or join forces


I will call for you
I will contact you


Hey, never's good for me
No action is beneficial in my opinion


How's never sound to you?
What are your thoughts on never taking action?


1-800-tell-me-babe
An imaginary phone number, asking to be informed


That's the trouble with never
The negative aspect of inactivity


Sure may be a mighty long time
There is a possibility of a prolonged period of time


Yeah
An exclamation of agreement


Level with me baby
Be honest and straightforward with me


Talk to me, woo
Communicate with me


This could
This may


Damage your reputation
Tarnish one's image


My wicked wicked ways
One's immoral actions or inclinations


But maybe I just will
I might indulge in those actions anyway


Since you put it that way
Based on the way you phrased it


Delusions of eloquence?
False beliefs of being articulate and expressive


You never can say
It is never certain


You wanna play
Do you want to join in?


The game?
The activity or competition


You can't quit when you get played
It is too late to stop once you have started


"Mistakes make people"
An idea that errors help individuals learn and grow


Isn't that what people say?
Is that not a common saying?


Let's un-plan the moment
Let's be spontaneous and act without prior planning


Dance the night away
Enjoy the night by engaging in rhythmic movements


Selective amnesia
The act of intentionally forgetting certain memories


Is only a heartbeat away
It is very close or imminent


A simple question
A query that is easy to understand


Concerning time
Related to the concept of time


"Suppose you wait forever
Imagine a scenario where one waits for an infinite time


And then you change your mind?"
And then suddenly decide to alter your intentions?


Oh, no
Expression of surprise and dismay


That's the trouble with never
The disadvantage of inactivity


Sure could be a mighty long time
It is very possible that much time can pass


When was the last time
At what point in the past


You did something for the first time?
When was the most recent memorable experience?


When was it?
What was the date or year of it?


When baby? Tell me
When did it happen? Share with me


Show me
Prove it or demonstrate to me




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wolfgang Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Lee Roth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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