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.
Big wheels are rolling
On through the night
We hit the city in the morning
No time to eat or sleep
Six concerts in a week
Take the show across the nation
Could this be San Antone?
Or am I stood in Rome?
Is the real or am I dreaming?
Standing by the backstage door
Just like the one before
We're here to set the spirit free
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Wait for the curtain call
Excitement in the hall
The stage crew ready at their stations
The houselights start to dim
Another show begins
Now it's time to rock the nations
Stand in the flashing lights
The music fills the night
The feeling just goes on and on
We take the last encore
The first of many more
The spotlight takes the final bow
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Big wheels are rolling
On thru' the night
Daylight comes without warning
North, south, east and west
We'll put you to the test
As we rock across your nation
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
(Repeat to end)
On through the night
We hit the city in the morning
No time to eat or sleep
Six concerts in a week
Take the show across the nation
Could this be San Antone?
Or am I stood in Rome?
Is the real or am I dreaming?
Standing by the backstage door
Just like the one before
We're here to set the spirit free
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Wait for the curtain call
Excitement in the hall
The stage crew ready at their stations
The houselights start to dim
Another show begins
Now it's time to rock the nations
Stand in the flashing lights
The music fills the night
The feeling just goes on and on
We take the last encore
The first of many more
The spotlight takes the final bow
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
Big wheels are rolling
On thru' the night
Daylight comes without warning
North, south, east and west
We'll put you to the test
As we rock across your nation
Give us the stage
Turn on the lights
Fire up the sound
We'll rock the nations
(Repeat to end)
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
This one has Saxon portraying the life of rock musicians constantly on tour, traveling from city to city, playing concerts, and immersing themselves in the energy of live performances. It captures the exhilaration and dedication of being on stage, connecting with audiences across different regions and uniting them through the power of music. The song also reflects their passion for their craft and their forever-burning commitment to entertaining and inspiring fans wherever they go.