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.
Can I play with madness?
Give me the sense to wonder
To wonder if I'm free
Give me a sense of wonder
To know I can be me
Give me the strength to hold my head up
Spit back in their face
Don't need no key to unlock this door
Gonna break down the walls
Break out of this bad place
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
Oh, said, "You're too blind to see", mmm
I screamed aloud to the old man
I said, "Don't lie, don't say you don't know"
I said, "You'll pay for this mischief"
"Ah, in this world or the next"
Oh and then he fixed me with a freezing glance
And the hellfires raged in his eyes
He said, "Do you wanna know the truth, son?"
"Lord, I'll tell you the truth"
"Your soul's gonna burn in a lake of fire"
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
"Oh, listen to me," said the prophet
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
Can I play with madness?
Give me the sense to wonder
To wonder if I'm free
Give me a sense of wonder
To know I can be me
Give me the strength to hold my head up
Spit back in their face
Don't need no key to unlock this door
Gonna break down the walls
Break out of this bad place
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
Oh, said, "You're too blind to see", mmm
I screamed aloud to the old man
I said, "Don't lie, don't say you don't know"
I said, "You'll pay for this mischief"
"Ah, in this world or the next"
Oh and then he fixed me with a freezing glance
And the hellfires raged in his eyes
He said, "Do you wanna know the truth, son?"
"Lord, I'll tell you the truth"
"Your soul's gonna burn in a lake of fire"
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
"Oh, listen to me," said the prophet
Can I play with madness? The prophet stared at his crystal ball
Can I play with madness? There's no vision there at all
Can I play with madness? The prophet looked and he laughed at me, ha, he said
Can I play with madness? He said, "You're blind, too blind to see"
Can I play with madness?
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Hmmm, Some young-uns still getting into the Maiden. Good stuff. Now.... To understand the Song you have to understand that the Entire ALBUM is actually a Concept album! Its about, as said the Apocalypse of the end. Its more a biblical Story of Satan verses God. And the entire album tells of this story unfolding. 'Can I play with Madness' Is about a caricature that is pulled into the story, and believes he plays a part in the way the events will end. If he chooses to ignore the "Signs" it may be his own demise. And so he has to Help the "Chosen one" Live... Which is an unborn child. There are movies based on the story. One going back to the 80s called the 7th sign.
And as of the Black sabbath comment. Buddy, clearly your ignorance is showing your age. Black sabbath not only ARE Metal, But was the THE Band that MADE METAL what it is. They first hand created metal. If you look back on what sounds where available in the same period, You'll see that Sabbath was a ground breaking and original (Heavy) band. The only band that came even close was Zepplin. And I can tell you, Zep, has nothing on metal!!!