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.
When I look around me,
I can't believe what I see
It seems as if this country
Has lost its will to live
The economy is lousy,
We barely have an army
But we can still stand proudly
'Cause Canada's really big
We're the second largest country
On this planet Earth
And if Russia
Keeps on shrinking
Then soon we'll be first
(as long as we keep Quebec)
The USA has tanks
And Switzerland has banks
They can keep them, thanks
They just don't amount
'Cause when you get down to it
You find out what the truth is
It isn't what you do with it
It's the size that counts!
Most people
Will tell you
That France is pretty large
But you can put
Fourteen Frances
Into this land of ours
(it'd take a lotta work, it's take a whole lotta work)
We're larger than Malaysia
Almost as big as Asia
We're bigger than Australia
And it's a continent
So big we seldom bother
To go see one another
But we often go to other
Countries for vacation
Our mountains
Are very pointy
Our prairies are not
The rest is
Kinda bumpy
But, man, do we have a lot
(we gotta lot of land, we gotta whole lot of land)
So stand up and be pound
And sing out very loud
We stand out from the crowd 'cause
Canada's really big!
I can't believe what I see
It seems as if this country
Has lost its will to live
The economy is lousy,
We barely have an army
But we can still stand proudly
'Cause Canada's really big
We're the second largest country
On this planet Earth
And if Russia
Keeps on shrinking
Then soon we'll be first
(as long as we keep Quebec)
The USA has tanks
And Switzerland has banks
They can keep them, thanks
They just don't amount
'Cause when you get down to it
You find out what the truth is
It isn't what you do with it
It's the size that counts!
Most people
Will tell you
That France is pretty large
But you can put
Fourteen Frances
Into this land of ours
(it'd take a lotta work, it's take a whole lotta work)
We're larger than Malaysia
Almost as big as Asia
We're bigger than Australia
And it's a continent
So big we seldom bother
To go see one another
But we often go to other
Countries for vacation
Our mountains
Are very pointy
Our prairies are not
The rest is
Kinda bumpy
But, man, do we have a lot
(we gotta lot of land, we gotta whole lot of land)
So stand up and be pound
And sing out very loud
We stand out from the crowd 'cause
Canada's really big!
Lyrics submitted by Queen Vegeta
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Let me guess, tis band is from Canada, lol.
This is my new favorite song, I laughed my ass off when I heard it, same with the war of 1812
The great thing about this song is that there are serious issues wrapped up in humor. For instance, our army and economy do suck and these are serious concerns for Canadians. And that line about losing Quebec. The first time I heard it, I laughed so hard because it's so true. Anyone who was around for the last referendum knows how close it was. Most of all, no matter how silly it seems, Canadians are really proud about how big Canada is.
Whenever I hear the nation anthem, I sing this song in my head. Amazingly it fits within the timeframe.
Ya this is such a good song, like most of the Arrogant Worms' songs. For some reason this one and The War of 1812 seem to go hand-in-hand. But there are so many other great ones out there.
This song was so cool on the Live Bait CD... i love this band, and i'm an American (:
this song is quite possibly one of the funniest songs I've ever heard...and being how they're Canadian that makes all the better cause let's face it canadian entertainers are just not that entertaining but kudos to them
^^^ Um... have you not heard of Jim Carrey? Pamela Anderson? Keifer Sutherland? Mike Meyers? Leslie Neilson? Matthew Perry? Nellie Furtado? The Simpsons? South Park? Not to mention dozens more... all Canadians!
That's right... we're infiltrating your popular culture in a fiendish plot to take over America! And there's nothing you can do about it! Nothing!!! MUWAHAHAHA...
BTW I love this song... I like how it's played on the hockey organ.
It's not what you do with it, it's the size that counts!
the war of 1812 isnt by the arrogant worms, although it is good. it's by 3 dead trolls in a baggie. this song is awesome, and the arrogant worms are my all time favorite band. theyre awesome live too :)