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.
There's a madman in the corner of your eye
He likes to pry, into your sunlight
He wants to burst into the street with you and I
A world of shadows and of rain
He's seen what love is
He wants to pay you back with guilt
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery, yeah, he's got your chains of misery
There's a prophet in the gutter in the street
He say "you're damned" and you believe him
He's got a vision but it shines out through your eyes
A world of hatred and fear
He's felt what love means
He wants to pay you back with pain
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
It's only love that holds the key to your heart
It's only love
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
He likes to pry, into your sunlight
He wants to burst into the street with you and I
A world of shadows and of rain
He's seen what love is
He wants to pay you back with guilt
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery, yeah, he's got your chains of misery
There's a prophet in the gutter in the street
He say "you're damned" and you believe him
He's got a vision but it shines out through your eyes
A world of hatred and fear
He's felt what love means
He wants to pay you back with pain
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
It's only love that holds the key to your heart
It's only love
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
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it seems to me like its about a guy being manipulated in a way. or maybe some metaphorical way of describing depression. There's a madman in the corner of your eye He likes to pry - into your sunlight
im not sure. but it seems like something is causing this person great mental distress
All about someone who's been captured. Good, fun chorus. Pretty good song, though overshadowed by the other great songs on "Fear of the Dark"
This song seems like a sequeal to "Can I Play With Madness".
This song seems like a sequeal to "Can I Play With Madness".
No, Can I play with Madness is based on the same thing the rest of the Seventh Son album is, Orson Scott Card's fantasy novel series "The Tales of Alvin Maker".
Dude! I'm friends with Orson Scott Card's uncle!
Awesome song, one of my favorites from the Fear of the Dark album. Somehow I think this song refers to the novel "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", or just about someone who's shizophrenic. He's fighting with himself, with his evil side, tries to stop himself from doing something bad, but it seems like his Evil Side - Mr. Hyde, maybe - is going to win, because he has something to blackmail the good side with - he holds his chains of misery. But I may be wrong, just my own interpretation of a great song.
I say New World Order, and they are taking about big brother and when he turns the key to lock us in is when RFID chips are placed in everyone, so big brother can lock you in into the Chains of Misery...look it up if you need to...
Drugs guys the songs about drugs and or addiction<br />