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.
i can see it in your eyes
you think you see it on my face
maybe it's something in my walk
maybe it's something with this place
you tell a friend he tells his friend
misconceptions all along
you couldn't know you wouldn't know
why the fuck would i tell you?
build it up and tear it down
running your mouth just to have a say
there's not a clue in your head
yet you still talk anyway
you don't even know my name
you don't even know my name
you don't even know my fucking name
you think you know me you try to judge me
but your facts are hit and miss
if you know all there is to know
than how do you explain this
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
fuck you
i can see it in your eyes
not an ounce of self respect
knocking others down
to make up for what you fucking lack
i see you talking
not hearing a fucking word you say
when you realize you've got no friends
you're the only one to blame
life's so clear when you think you're seeing through mine
who are you to think you can fucking define
this painted picture of perfect fucking design?
master artist you fucking can't draw a fucking straight line.
you think you see it on my face
maybe it's something in my walk
maybe it's something with this place
you tell a friend he tells his friend
misconceptions all along
you couldn't know you wouldn't know
why the fuck would i tell you?
build it up and tear it down
running your mouth just to have a say
there's not a clue in your head
yet you still talk anyway
you don't even know my name
you don't even know my name
you don't even know my fucking name
you think you know me you try to judge me
but your facts are hit and miss
if you know all there is to know
than how do you explain this
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
you think you know me
fuck you
i can see it in your eyes
not an ounce of self respect
knocking others down
to make up for what you fucking lack
i see you talking
not hearing a fucking word you say
when you realize you've got no friends
you're the only one to blame
life's so clear when you think you're seeing through mine
who are you to think you can fucking define
this painted picture of perfect fucking design?
master artist you fucking can't draw a fucking straight line.
Lyrics submitted by bulletnamedlove
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.