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.
Maxwell can't tell he's in hell
He just wants you to visit him there
Same old game that he's playin'
His rules are never fair
Nobody want to look back everybody want to get high tonight
Before they run outta time where's the felon the chargeable
Felon the name of the crook who committed the crime
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
Maxwell got a hand in this plan
He knows who you are in this plan
Shop the rock before you bought it
Sickness Maxwell knows you caught it
Nobody want to look back
Everybody want to get high tonight before they run out of time
Where's the felon, the chargiale felon
The name of the crook who committed the crime
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
Oh Max, you motherfucker
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
He just wants you to visit him there
Same old game that he's playin'
His rules are never fair
Nobody want to look back everybody want to get high tonight
Before they run outta time where's the felon the chargeable
Felon the name of the crook who committed the crime
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
Maxwell got a hand in this plan
He knows who you are in this plan
Shop the rock before you bought it
Sickness Maxwell knows you caught it
Nobody want to look back
Everybody want to get high tonight before they run out of time
Where's the felon, the chargiale felon
The name of the crook who committed the crime
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
Oh Max, you motherfucker
Dial nine nine nine if you really want the truth
Dial nine nine nine if you can't see it through
He ain't Jack the Ripper he's your ordinary crook
Calling Maxwell murder for you
Lyrics submitted by Kpizzle, edited by whiskeysundown
Maxwell Murder Lyrics as written by Roger M. Freeman Lars Frederiksen
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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.
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Instead of saying.. "THIS SONG RULES RANCID KIX SO MUCH ASS! I LEARNED THIS SONG FROM DAVE MIRAS BMX!! YAH!!! MY MOMMY MADE ME TURN IT DOWN THOUGH CAUSE IT WAS PASSED MY BEDDY BED TIME!!11"...How about studying the lyrics and giving your interpretation of the song, no one here cares if you think "rancid kicks ass", we want to know the meanings of the song and different interpretations.
@punkintended perhaps you should have given them an example to follow ... that is, state your interpretation of the song?
People! It's about a drug dealer. I have a video of a Warped Show I saw them at. Lars says, "This next song is about a drug dealer named Max. Maxwell." Simple. See ya in the pit.
I always had this theory that it had a connection with the song maxwell's silver hammer by the beatles. Maxwell's silver hammer is about how maxwell killed his girlfriend, teacher and judge. Maxwell's murder.
@Adreanaline yeah I was thinking something along the same lines, however you would think that the band would have borrowed some tunes off that song, and or at least mentioned a hammer somewhere in the lyrics. Because it does neither of them I am not so sure ...
Isn´t the song about The Maxwell Confait murder in London 1972?
A tranvestite that was killed in a murder. The following behavior by the Police was questioned and the youngsters that was convicted was by many considered as scapegoats. The case have been reexamined and questioned.
999 was the English emergency call number, In EU now it is 112.
So I thought that Rancid used the " Call 999 if you really want the truth" in an ironic way.
I agree with the drug dealer thing, but I'm not sure if it has anything to do with "london's burning" by "The Clash". 999 is also 911 in england so that could mean something.
P.S.: Please post on the Rancid songs with any comments on them
I agree with scavenger type. The song does say "chop the rock before you bought it." It's about a drug dealer. But, why dial 999. That is the European version of 911.
Is Maxwell a real guy that they are singing about, or did Rancid just make them up?
Ok, lets see....I was thinking about something completely different but because the lyrics have been corected by Scavenger Type I feel that it could be about a drug dealer. "he ain't jack the ripper..." he's not a murderer, hes a drugo. But interpret it any way you like. Rancid rule, I do love the bass in this song too. Rancid ruuuuule!!
I always thought it was about the Robert Maxwell 'Murder' you know the was he murdered, did he kill himself or was it an accident thing? but that's probably because i never really listened to it properly and half the time i don't understand what he's saying..
Maxwell is a chracter from Orwell's 'Burmese Days'. His murder is the catalyst for the indian revolution that starts the non-violence movement of Ghandi.
But I doubt that relates to this song. It could....but I think it has more to do with a guy that had a drug overdose. Who really commits the crime in that situation? Dial 999 (911) - they'll tell you it's the drugs and dealers. But no one wants to believe that...they'd rather deny it and go on in their drug enduced fantasies. "Nobody wants to look back"