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.
Grass has been greener skies have been bluer
I know my soul is down in the sewer
You say that I am selfish well you know that that is true
I don't care what you say pretty mama I don't care what you do.
I don't care about anyone but myself
I don't care about anyone but myself
In the land of the brave and the home of the free
I don't care about anyone except for me.
If you are unhappy and you have not won your race
Well there ain’t no mercy in this world and there ain’t none out in space
So welcome to the nineties, I hope that you make it through
But if you get in trouble honey, this is what I say to you
This is not the era, of roses peace and love
I must admit, I'm the only one; that I'm thinking of
Well I just make my money and put it in the bank
I buy myself some presents, with no one but myself to thank
I don't care about anyone but myself
I don't care about anyone but myself
In the land of the brave and the home of the free
I don't care about anyone except for me.
I know my soul is down in the sewer
You say that I am selfish well you know that that is true
I don't care what you say pretty mama I don't care what you do.
I don't care about anyone but myself
I don't care about anyone but myself
In the land of the brave and the home of the free
I don't care about anyone except for me.
If you are unhappy and you have not won your race
Well there ain’t no mercy in this world and there ain’t none out in space
So welcome to the nineties, I hope that you make it through
But if you get in trouble honey, this is what I say to you
This is not the era, of roses peace and love
I must admit, I'm the only one; that I'm thinking of
Well I just make my money and put it in the bank
I buy myself some presents, with no one but myself to thank
I don't care about anyone but myself
I don't care about anyone but myself
In the land of the brave and the home of the free
I don't care about anyone except for me.
Lyrics submitted by katatonic
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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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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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I think that this song is just about having a hard time in the world and not happy with what is going on in life. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself and he thinks no one cares about him. No one cares that you are so upset and noone is willing to help you.
We all have been in this position at one time in our life so it is easy to relate to.