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.
500 channels of a day-dream stimulation
Helps me to resent my life and raise my expectations.
Locked into re-runs, your memories repeating,
And all your ideals seem so self defeating.
For you and yours, the pepsi generation,
And when you're discontent, you change the T.V. station,
And when you hate your life, no qualtities redeeming,
A million brainwashed zombies will always be heard screaming...
And when there is no hope,
"I'll smoke some crack, I'll shoot some dope!"
When there's no enemies,
"I sit and stare at my T.V.
And in my ignorance,
I'll be a slave and sycophant!"
And in a perfect world devoid of all temptations,
The good leftover crizack could unite the nations.
But now the war machines are mapping our destruction
With poisons over flowing in the chemical seductions.
And when there is no hope,
"I'll smoke some crack, I'll shoot some dope!"
When there's no enemies,
"I sit and stare at my T.V.
And in my ignorance,
I'll be a slave and sycophant!"
With my credit and my bank,
My mind will draw a blank.
I'll block out history,
And stare at my T.V.
For me there is no way.
500 channels waste my life away, away
Helps me to resent my life and raise my expectations.
Locked into re-runs, your memories repeating,
And all your ideals seem so self defeating.
For you and yours, the pepsi generation,
And when you're discontent, you change the T.V. station,
And when you hate your life, no qualtities redeeming,
A million brainwashed zombies will always be heard screaming...
And when there is no hope,
"I'll smoke some crack, I'll shoot some dope!"
When there's no enemies,
"I sit and stare at my T.V.
And in my ignorance,
I'll be a slave and sycophant!"
And in a perfect world devoid of all temptations,
The good leftover crizack could unite the nations.
But now the war machines are mapping our destruction
With poisons over flowing in the chemical seductions.
And when there is no hope,
"I'll smoke some crack, I'll shoot some dope!"
When there's no enemies,
"I sit and stare at my T.V.
And in my ignorance,
I'll be a slave and sycophant!"
With my credit and my bank,
My mind will draw a blank.
I'll block out history,
And stare at my T.V.
For me there is no way.
500 channels waste my life away, away
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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 is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
CV and DK were actually what got me thinking about the world in a different way. Along with "Steal This Book"
500 channels is obviously about TV addicted america, but further than that, it is about the gullible minds of the average american, we interpret this fictional Television aura as what "reality" is. In fact, reality is much more gruesome, and there are greedy forces at work to maintain this unjust system. along with every other CV song, it is social commentary on what a boiling pot of excess and hypocrisy america has become.