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.
Let's talk of peace,
Sounds so cliche
A novelty,
Catch phrase of the day
Middle, index,
Sign of the time
Just as complex,
As water to
Someone said
Give peace a chance
And, that's all that we're saying
While we're sitting
On the fence
Pretending,
Our hearts are in the right place
But, your face
Shows a trace of
Hypocrisy,
Don't tread on me,
Now you can see
Make love not war,
Sounds so absurd, to me
We can't afford
To say these words, lightly
Or else our world
Will truly, rest in peace
Let's not pretend,
To justify
Rather amend,
Where treasures lie
Straight through the heart,
Peace can be found
That's where you start,
Not all around
Someone said
Give peace a chance
And, that's all that we're saying
While we're sitting
On the fence
Pretending,
Our hearts are in the right place
But, your face
Shows a trace of
Hypocrisy,
Don't tread on me, boy
Now you can see
Sounds so cliche
A novelty,
Catch phrase of the day
Middle, index,
Sign of the time
Just as complex,
As water to
Someone said
Give peace a chance
And, that's all that we're saying
While we're sitting
On the fence
Pretending,
Our hearts are in the right place
But, your face
Shows a trace of
Hypocrisy,
Don't tread on me,
Now you can see
Make love not war,
Sounds so absurd, to me
We can't afford
To say these words, lightly
Or else our world
Will truly, rest in peace
Let's not pretend,
To justify
Rather amend,
Where treasures lie
Straight through the heart,
Peace can be found
That's where you start,
Not all around
Someone said
Give peace a chance
And, that's all that we're saying
While we're sitting
On the fence
Pretending,
Our hearts are in the right place
But, your face
Shows a trace of
Hypocrisy,
Don't tread on me, boy
Now you can see
Lyrics submitted by kevlar_soul
Rest in Peace Lyrics as written by Jimi Hendrix Gary F. Cherone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is about the hypocrites who cry for peace but are in truth belligerent against anyone who doesn't see things their way. Gary, IMHO, is a very underrated lyricist. His lyrics are very intelligent and thought-provoking...it's too bad he was overshadowed by Nuno's fireworks, fantastic guitarist that he was.
Although now I think on, I've just fallen into exactly the same trap; I've highlighted faults, picked nits, then offered little or nothing positive of my own by way of recompense.
Bugger.
I have a SLIGHTLY different interpretation of what I think Cherone was going for with these lyrics.
The real key to the meaning is the line "Straight to the heart, Peace can't be bought, That's where you start, Not all around."
I think he's suggesting that peace is a very difficult thing to achieve on a large scale, and saying things like "make love not war" isn't going to change any government's mind, as they will simply ignore you. He's trying to say that we, as individuals, need to live our lives peacefully in order to achieve a lasting peace, and that it's impossible to "make" someone else come around to this point of view if they're not ready for it. To become a more peaceful society, we all must come to the conclusion that peace is better, but we must come to that conclusion on our own, as individuals, and then actively make the choice to live peacefully. Cherone is into individuality as a pathway to peace.
The only part I disagree with is that we have to come to this decision on our own, in a complete vacuum. Saying "make love not war" has never been intended to be a political policy. When you live in a large civilized area, like a city, the whole point of so many people living together in one place is to rise above our baser instincts and try to be a better society. The more peaceful we are, the more we can accomplish. "Make love not war" is a cultural suggestion, intended to get people to think about trying to be peaceful and diplomatic before they resort to anger and violence. Take the suggestion or leave it, but I don't think that's absurd at all, though I admit it typically falls on deaf ears.
Make love, not war Sounds so absurd to me We can't afford to say these words, lightly Or else our world Will truly rest in peace
Says it all really. War will destroy the planet etc
I've always found these lyrics a little disappointing.
It's all very well to give aggro little hippies like Lennon the kicking they deserve for the hypocrisy inherent in sermonising harmony from their angry balconies, but you kind of have to, y'know, come up with something better yourself, or you're just leaving yourself prone to coming across as equally didactic.
Super riffs tho. :oP
Oye vay! I spot 'Voodoo Child' in there!