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.
Desolate and without purpose
Radiating from so many septic sources
Forming the fabric of a wayward people
Disappearing as the vestiges of our past
Scratched like tartan into virgin soil
A substrate for progress and disarray
A spreading network of broken dreams
Searching for a thoroughfare to take us away
Just a little tale from the streets of America (say a little prayer)
Sparkled promises paved with pathos and hysteria
Trenchant, weary native sons
Step back
And see the damage done
Meander to the horizon (shoot straight to the horizon)
The streets of America
Black, tarred concrete
Pine for me
Lying dormant
For you and country
Hardened surface
Cracked within
Catch the sweat
From off the chin
Of men and women
Senior and child
Who look to you
And your sterile miles
And in their stares
Is bald dismay
For what you promised
Led them astray
Hard-cracked, daunting, lifeless veins
False hope corridors to greener pastures is all that remains
Radiating from so many septic sources
Forming the fabric of a wayward people
Disappearing as the vestiges of our past
Scratched like tartan into virgin soil
A substrate for progress and disarray
A spreading network of broken dreams
Searching for a thoroughfare to take us away
Just a little tale from the streets of America (say a little prayer)
Sparkled promises paved with pathos and hysteria
Trenchant, weary native sons
Step back
And see the damage done
Meander to the horizon (shoot straight to the horizon)
The streets of America
Black, tarred concrete
Pine for me
Lying dormant
For you and country
Hardened surface
Cracked within
Catch the sweat
From off the chin
Of men and women
Senior and child
Who look to you
And your sterile miles
And in their stares
Is bald dismay
For what you promised
Led them astray
Hard-cracked, daunting, lifeless veins
False hope corridors to greener pastures is all that remains
Lyrics submitted by kapinnn, edited by Mellow_Harsher, BadReligionfan
The Streets of America Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin Brian Champtaloup Baker
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The streets of America is telling me that the roads of life are already in need of serious repair and most people take the nearest exits rather than forging ahead. We need to become the ones who are paving that road to make a better America (I feel the song starts to yell at the audience directly). We can't rely on other people, because too many people already rely on us. I also get the generic punk rock feel, where our leaders are corrupt and are causing our lives to be in such desolate. Besides the generic blame politicians and religion view, I feel this songs focus on everyone who has tried being the leader or allowed people to rely on them.