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.
When culture replaces nature where do you stand with the struggle within the system?
Values change, we remain tied to the concept that work will set us free
Tread the beaten path, time passes with no relief
I function in the red for an honest day
Killing time
Buy, sell, package passion
Buy, sell, at the price of definition
And I live for nothing accumulating the image of real living
Live for junk
Die for junk
When image replaces substance where do you stand?
Buy, sell, redefine
Day in, day out at the price of destination
Repeat forms
Stagnant time
Live for junk
Tow the line
Create forms
Take back time
Die to live
Redefine
Within this structure life is taken day by day
Reduced to consumption, producing a society of slaves
Repeat forms
Stagnant time
Live for junk
Tow the line
Create forms
Take back time
Die to live
Redefine
Within this structure life is taken day by day
Reduced to consumption, producing a society of slaves
Repeat
Reform
Die to live
Redefine
My time is spent killing my time
My time is spent
Living a lie
When culture replaces nature where do you stand with the struggle within the system?
Values change, we remain tied to the concept that work will set us free
Tread the beaten path, time passes with no relief
Live for nothing
Killing time
When sensation replaces action where do you stand?
Detatched, aimless, obsessed with projection
I'm halfway between suicide and revolution
Buy, sell, market time
Day in, day out you can't sell me liberation
Values change, we remain tied to the concept that work will set us free
Tread the beaten path, time passes with no relief
I function in the red for an honest day
Killing time
Buy, sell, package passion
Buy, sell, at the price of definition
And I live for nothing accumulating the image of real living
Live for junk
Die for junk
When image replaces substance where do you stand?
Buy, sell, redefine
Day in, day out at the price of destination
Repeat forms
Stagnant time
Live for junk
Tow the line
Create forms
Take back time
Die to live
Redefine
Within this structure life is taken day by day
Reduced to consumption, producing a society of slaves
Repeat forms
Stagnant time
Live for junk
Tow the line
Create forms
Take back time
Die to live
Redefine
Within this structure life is taken day by day
Reduced to consumption, producing a society of slaves
Repeat
Reform
Die to live
Redefine
My time is spent killing my time
My time is spent
Living a lie
When culture replaces nature where do you stand with the struggle within the system?
Values change, we remain tied to the concept that work will set us free
Tread the beaten path, time passes with no relief
Live for nothing
Killing time
When sensation replaces action where do you stand?
Detatched, aimless, obsessed with projection
I'm halfway between suicide and revolution
Buy, sell, market time
Day in, day out you can't sell me liberation
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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