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.
Raging Pleasures of Keloid Milk
Outsiders applaud as they watch television
please enjoy the show about to come on.
at the end of the trick of manipulating and being manipulated
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy a late snack.
re incarnate
The assailant makes a rusty grinding sound
grab the left and right brain in the skull
an inverted love, a crowd of abuse
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy the erratic speed.
re incarnate
The victim applauds tears and wounds
without giving up on facing the truth
Ladies and gentlemen bursting into laughter, please enjoy.
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy this short life
re incarnate
When I was but a child fragile as glass
to see how deep I could make the wounds...
I stabbed my heart with the shards
to see how much pain I could take...
Death Warrant
the end will soon come
Death Warrant
Just a little longer... I can hear it.
Outsiders applaud as they watch television
please enjoy the show about to come on.
at the end of the trick of manipulating and being manipulated
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy a late snack.
re incarnate
The assailant makes a rusty grinding sound
grab the left and right brain in the skull
an inverted love, a crowd of abuse
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy the erratic speed.
re incarnate
The victim applauds tears and wounds
without giving up on facing the truth
Ladies and gentlemen bursting into laughter, please enjoy.
Night after night after night after night
making a "house call" to enjoy this short life
re incarnate
When I was but a child fragile as glass
to see how deep I could make the wounds...
I stabbed my heart with the shards
to see how much pain I could take...
Death Warrant
the end will soon come
Death Warrant
Just a little longer... I can hear it.
Lyrics submitted by Shinigami
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Damn, love this song. Tied for favorite with "Filth" and "Embryo" on the album. This song has such a great switch from Kyo's breathy falsetto to the head-banging chorus. It melds perfectly and I think that it really showcases their talent.
As for the meaning of the song, I have a couple theories. In agreement with Gothique-san, I concur that this is one meaning. To add on to that, though, I think Kyo is playing both the victim and the "killer" simultaneously. In the chorus, he talks about being a "child fragile as glass" and how he stabs himself with the fragments...of himself. I thought that was a nifty little play there. Anyway, what I think is that although he enjoyed the pain on himself, he also wanted to have others feel his pain. Hence, the "killer" persona. But on the flip side, you could argue that he's the victim watching his own death, totally getting off on his own brutal murder. Kinda interesting, I think....