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.
You say that I put chains on you
But I don't think that's really true
But if you want to be free from me
You gotta lose me in another world
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
Like a soldier ant
I will wait for the signal to act
To take a walk right through the door
If you don't want me here any more
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
Into my heart you came
And gave a whole new meaning to my life
Into my world you brought a light
I thought it never would go out
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
You can send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Yes you can send me to the Congo, you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
I would never be the one to say you had no reason
To want me somewhere else far far away
But someday you may understand, someday you will see
That someone who would die for you is all I've ever been
Congo the Congo, if that's how it's got to be
Congo the Congo, if that's what you want from me
I would never be the one to say you had no reason
To want me somewhere else far far away
Someday you may understand someday you will see...
But I don't think that's really true
But if you want to be free from me
You gotta lose me in another world
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
Like a soldier ant
I will wait for the signal to act
To take a walk right through the door
If you don't want me here any more
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
Into my heart you came
And gave a whole new meaning to my life
Into my world you brought a light
I thought it never would go out
Send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Send me to the Congo you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
You can send me to the Congo I'm free to leave
There's always somewhere anybody can lead
Yes you can send me to the Congo, you have to believe
You can do it if you want to just do what you please
I would never be the one to say you had no reason
To want me somewhere else far far away
But someday you may understand, someday you will see
That someone who would die for you is all I've ever been
Congo the Congo, if that's how it's got to be
Congo the Congo, if that's what you want from me
I would never be the one to say you had no reason
To want me somewhere else far far away
Someday you may understand someday you will see...
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Congo Lyrics as written by Michael Rutherford Anthony George Banks
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Ooh, cool. Still a good band, even without Collins.
Yeah, I heard it for the first time on the Turn It On Again cd. It's a pretty cool song; but the band will never be the same without P.C
In my opinion Collins lost it once he left Genesis. Genesis were genius. Banks and Rutherford were genius but Collins in my opinion wasn't. If you listen to interviews with him he always said that he contributed less to genesis than the other two.
Anway...enough of the rant. This is about trying to have your love for someone reciprecated and it being as easy as a trip to the congo. Which if you ever tried - is near enough impossible. Think it's along similar lines as Dire Straits calling elvis - which was about the ease with which you could call back home when touring the states - like calling elvis!
Quite a good song, bit of a return to the older, mysterious Genesis music. Thought it resembles Duran Duran, too. Sounds a bit darker than the Collins songs.
Pity Genesis broke up. Though a reunion of the early 70's lineup is still possible. Collins and Gabriel already told in interviews they would like to reunite once. Hope someday it'll really happen.
Pretty darn horrible, but still the best song on Calling All Stations. Too bad Calling All Stations is one of the worst albums of all time...
Take a second or third listen. It's pretty good!