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 great danger (danger)
For the loneliest ranger in town
No silver bullets (bullets)
Tonto's split the scene
Next week will solve your problems
But now
Fish fingers all in a line
The milk bottles stand empty
Stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
There's great danger
And most caped crusader of all
No cloak of justice
Robin's quit the scene
Next week will solve your problems
But now
Fish fingers all in a line
The milk bottles stand empty
Stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, why don't ya, don't ya, don't ya
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, why don't ya, don't ya, don't ya
(T.V.) stay glued to that and your T.V. set (T.V.)
For the loneliest ranger in town
No silver bullets (bullets)
Tonto's split the scene
Next week will solve your problems
But now
Fish fingers all in a line
The milk bottles stand empty
Stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
There's great danger
And most caped crusader of all
No cloak of justice
Robin's quit the scene
Next week will solve your problems
But now
Fish fingers all in a line
The milk bottles stand empty
Stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, oh
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, why don't ya, don't ya, don't ya
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.)
(T.V.) stay glued to your T.V. set (T.V.) oh, why don't ya, don't ya, don't ya
(T.V.) stay glued to that and your T.V. set (T.V.)
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Hayalperest
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I always saw this song as being a commentary on the economic decay of the pre-Thatcherite England of the early-seventies that the members of Wire would have grown up in, and the gloom and depair it brought down on everyone but the lucky - and greedy and exclusionary - so-called upper classes. England had fallen into economic ruin and it was no surprise that the anger and resentment that people felt toward government and institutions of leadership and authority (who were responsible for the mess) gave birth to punk, which as we know changed everything. Within the context of the song, which is bleak and depressing, people can't even afford milk ("the milk bottles stand empty") and all they can afford to eat is cheap, mass produced junk ("fish fingers all in a line") like fishsticks, as we call them here in North America. The big line for me in this song is "Next week will solve your problems," which speaks to the cycle of lethargy and hopelessness that so many are caught up in, unable to take action or regain control of their lives because the economic reality is so dire (skyrocketing unemployment for example) and so, they try to just not think about it; ie, put off looking for work until "next week" because there's nothing out there right now anyway. And I have always seen that line as being spoken by those same upper classes: Don't worry people, everything will be fine next week; for now, you just keep on watching TV; we'll handle everything out here. And meanwhile, they pilfer and destroy the country's economic support structures that were there to help people avoid circumstances like this in the first place. Great, great song. A big message song and all in less than a hundred words. As as per everything Wire, it is musically awesome. I have lost count of how many people I have turned on to the album 'Pink Flag.' Here's hoping I helped the lads pick up a royalty cheque or two over the years, help keep them in milk anyway. PS: Absolutely no clue why it is called Ex Lion Tamer.
@madoal I think you’re spot on man! “Fish fingers all in a line” referring to how you line up fish sticks on a baking sheet pan. Not a meal you have if you have money to spare. “The milk bottles stand empty” people used to get milk through a delivery service that would collect the empty milk bottles to be reused. This line is highlighting the fact that the normalcy of services we all come to expect during a healthy economy has slowed downed/stopped due to economic decline. As long as we stay tuned to our favorite heroes and their weekly programming and we continue pushing forward, things have to get better next week, or soon, right? This song is a brilliant time capsule of 70’s England and is as relevant today as it will be in 50 years. As long as conservatively principled politicians and economic recessions/depressions, due to gambling futures on stock markets, persist in disrupting societal conditions, this song will never lose it’s incredibly poignant value.