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.
Well the sheaves have all been brought,
But the fields have washed away
And the palaces now stand
Where the coffins all were laid
And the times we see ahead
We must glaze with rosy hues
For we don't wish to admit
What it is we have to lose
Millenia in coming
The modern age is here
It sanctifies the future
Yet renders us with fear
So many theories, so many prophecies
What we do need is a change of ideas
When we are scared
We can hide in our reveries
But what we need is a change of ideas
Change of ideas, change of ideas
What we need now is a change of ideas
But the fields have washed away
And the palaces now stand
Where the coffins all were laid
And the times we see ahead
We must glaze with rosy hues
For we don't wish to admit
What it is we have to lose
Millenia in coming
The modern age is here
It sanctifies the future
Yet renders us with fear
So many theories, so many prophecies
What we do need is a change of ideas
When we are scared
We can hide in our reveries
But what we need is a change of ideas
Change of ideas, change of ideas
What we need now is a change of ideas
Lyrics submitted by oofus, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Change of Ideas Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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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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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I like this song, I totally agree with the lyrics.. theories like 'the clash of cultures' are gaining more followers..This could lead to dangerous situations.. We do need a change of ideas, to look to the world with an open mind, we don't need any theories to hide behind.. I just wonder, if such a change will ever happen..
More than likely..it will not.
I like the references to how we hide in our present situation instead of looking outside it and ourselves
Yeah, I agree. The worlds not headed to a very nice place. I just hope the general populace will get their act together and be more openminded.
so basically, we need an open mind? "It sanctifies the future, yet renders us with fear." is a great line.
I like how he mentions the new millenia, like we have to change with the times. This song will always be true, for everyone. We could all use a change of ideas, and I do me all of us.
Songs funny coming from a man who believes Darwin is truth Lets take a look at Piltdown man These Neodarwinists have to grab or make up their science to fit their beliefs. This dude is one sad asshole, But real good a propaganda, I'll give him that.He's always changing ideas because holes keep getting holes shot in all of his. Doesn't deal much in truth.
Judging by your 50+ comments dedicated to bashing this band, I take it that "Thou shalt not troll" isn't in the Bible.
gallium31, all of your comments are the same. It's clear who is indoctrinated.<br /> <br /> Yes, let's look at the Piltdown man: it was a hoax. Scientists know it's a hoax. You make it seem that you're the only one who realizes this. <br /> <br /> Do you wish to explain to me how the fossil record is a hoax? Did your version of the almighty omnipotent deity put fossils into the 6000 year old earth to test our faith? <br /> <br /> Comparative anatomy? Geographical distribution of animals? Go ahead and ignore that. Here's the kicker: DNA. Explain to me how 98 percent of the DNA of chimpanzees is the same as that of humans without showing how us and chimpanzees had a common anscestor. Evolution is a fact, and the only evidence you need for it is in the DNA. The 'theory' is Darwin's 'natural selection', which is the best explanation we currently have of how evolution happened. We are cousins of all the great apes. Just because Sky Daddy doesn't say so does not invalidate the theory. Any religious leader worth his salt has acknowledged that evolution is fact. It's not just a 'theory'. Laymen's terms do not equal scientific terms. Your stance on evolution shows how little you know about the subject.<br /> <br /> Keep on spreading your lies about Darwin. You are blind. You don't want to see evidence because it would shatter your little self-centered view of the world. Keep on parroting what your parents told you to believe on pain of eternity in hell. God is so wonderful and he wants to kill everyone who doesn't believe in him. That is the best example of free-thinking I've yet seen.<br /> <br /> Go to your security blanket and tell yourself comforting lies about how the Universe was made with you in mind. Never mind the 16000 children who die of starvation every day whom your 'god' supposedly loves. Never mind the 99.9 percent extinction rate of your loving god. Never mind the hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes, blizzards and uninhabitability of 73 percent of the planet. Look at the leaves, trees, and grass! GOD IS GOOD! Our planet is on a knife edge of habitabilty. Global warming may be a possibility. It's already happened on Venus. What makes us exempt from that fate? <br /> <br /> Atheism is the start of an argument. You assume,just because we don't subscribe to your version of the 1000s of gods mankind has come up with, atheists are immoral, and you cite Mao and Stalin. You forgot to mention Hirohito, Hitler, and Mussolini. Those people made their own religion out of man. Those people were psychopaths. <br /> <br /> Hitler, for example, who you seem so keen on. He references God in numerous places in Mein Kampf. Why were people so eager to follow him? Because they were credulous fools. Why was this not rejected by the church? Why has it just now apologized for it? Why did they celebrate Hitler's birthday? Why does the oath of the Fuhrer reference God? This list is indicative of someone who knows credulity when he sees it. Same with Stalin. They used this to their advantage, and committed atrocities by convincing the people that they are right, that if they didn't follow their brand of the truth, then they would be killed. Sound familiar? <br /> <br /> Anyone on earth can improve the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, etc. because they can impart their own humanity on the violent bullshit in these ancient fabricated lies. The 9/11 hijackers were moral in their eyes. Religious morality is not morality that any modern human would live by. <br /> <br /> I'll put it to you this way:<br /> <br /> Name me a moral action that an atheist can't do that a religous person does. <br /> <br /> Take for example, charity. There are secular and religous charities. Yet the religious do it not for its own sake, but in order to proselytize, and for fear of the giant security camera in the sky. How very moral of them. <br /> <br /> Now what motivates an atheist to commit atrocities? There is no scriptural authority. There is no divine reward. There is NO logical step from atheism to Nazism or Facism. These are ideologies developed in order to brainwash credulous fools like yourself, just like the "great" monotheisms of the world and their polytheist cousins. Yet scriptural authority is right in the Bible and Quran for anyone who wishes to interpret it in whatever way the want. How very absolute these books are.<br /> <br /> The Crusades, and the Inquisition? Not religiously motivated at all, were they? To say that it was religion solely that motivated them is reductionist. To say that religion vastly exacerbated hatred and violence would not. Even if it was not the sole motivator, it was a major one. Yet, in the Bible, God says to the Israelites that genocide and slavery are ok. Yeah. Very moral. <br /> <br /> Your arguments are older than you, and have been refuted many times over by thousands more clever than you. You are proud of being a 'free-thinking' sheep in your shepard's flock. At the end of the day, you'll have to do what your shepard tells you. I advise you to think for you own self and understand how ridiculous and blind you are about evolution and apply it your own thinking. Graffin is not the end all be all of atheism. He has his own beliefs, and he shows them in his songs. If you don't like it, don't listen to it. Go and read the Bible. How's that for indoctrination? <br /> <br /> "Enjoy your indoctrinated meaningless lives"- how very noble of you.