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.
Even the rats know the trouble's gonna come
To the edge of the city see the little guys run
I hear spring is nice in Canada
Maybe the men up on Capitol Hill
Need a little less Jack and a little more Jill
You can have my stereo
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy getting heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify
I hear the words but the meaning gets lost
It's a game, it depends on who the ball gets tossed
It's the same ball anyway
You're tuggin' me now, cut me loose or take me on
You can play, you can pay the piper all night long
That's some good home cookin'
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy getting heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify
To the edge of the city see the little guys run
I hear spring is nice in Canada
Maybe the men up on Capitol Hill
Need a little less Jack and a little more Jill
You can have my stereo
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy getting heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify
I hear the words but the meaning gets lost
It's a game, it depends on who the ball gets tossed
It's the same ball anyway
You're tuggin' me now, cut me loose or take me on
You can play, you can pay the piper all night long
That's some good home cookin'
Even though the race may never be won
I can lay like a dandy getting heavy in the sun
Take a love song and beautify
Lyrics submitted by camelenamel, edited by hckseventsetoh
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It's clearly a politically motivated song. In so many words: Bush is sinking our battleship. The rats are always the first to know when the ship's going down.
The song seems to read like a how-to on chilling during a time of high political tension within the country.