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.
Such derision when you fled
They bruised your lank shins while you were down
Some kicked the crutches from under your arms
You are one sorry story
A lost cause from conceivment
Still I like you and your thinking mind
And it's like a good book reads.
Always question your country
There's knives in their blue eyes
So read up and turn off the telly
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
You then displaced to Paris
Claiming your extra baggage
Mashing the fancy of your relatives
Nothing but tactfulness and peace
Outdoor resturants and coffee
Books under your arms insted of crutches.
And it's like a good book reads.
Always question your country
There's knives in their blue eyes
So read up and turn off the telly
I said read up turn off the telly
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
The bombs ring
We all sing, "freedom at last!"
The bombs ring
Children scream
Freedom at Last!
The bombs ring
We all sing, "freedom at last!"
The bombs ring
Freedom at last
And say that you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
They bruised your lank shins while you were down
Some kicked the crutches from under your arms
You are one sorry story
A lost cause from conceivment
Still I like you and your thinking mind
And it's like a good book reads.
Always question your country
There's knives in their blue eyes
So read up and turn off the telly
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
You then displaced to Paris
Claiming your extra baggage
Mashing the fancy of your relatives
Nothing but tactfulness and peace
Outdoor resturants and coffee
Books under your arms insted of crutches.
And it's like a good book reads.
Always question your country
There's knives in their blue eyes
So read up and turn off the telly
I said read up turn off the telly
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
The bombs ring
We all sing, "freedom at last!"
The bombs ring
Children scream
Freedom at Last!
The bombs ring
We all sing, "freedom at last!"
The bombs ring
Freedom at last
And say that you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name
And say you do
Say you love us like I know you will
And that our deaths won't be in vain
Or in the name of gasoline
Lyrics submitted by Pain In The A$$
Heaven Runs on Oil Lyrics as written by Brandon Reilly
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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it's about bush, and how our deaths are in vain because they are in the name of gasoline.
the song is a just a very small portion of the whole bush adminsitration problem, but a good song none the less.
A disillusioned culture that begs for the approval of a craptastical administration.
I start to get the feeling that the call in this song is Brandon's opinion that our only apparent options are to look for approval from superiors or get out of the country. The sarcastic take on this seems to whisper rebellion in the ears of anyone who listens closely to the lyrics.
there's a c c o r d i a n in it, if i'm not mistaken. . .
good song
Lovely. Especially since in one of my political rants I ended up practically quoting them. Essentially Oil -> War -> Death. This song makes me happy.
amazing song. I can't stop singing to this song. I saw them in london and i want them to come back :)
If I'm not mistaken, this song also has a lot to do with World War I. The second verse sounds like a reference to the Lost Generation, and "there's knives in their blue eyes" could be talking about the Europeans involved in the war.
Nightmare of You is known to put small references or shoutouts to singers they like. In this song, the bombs ring part sounds just like where are you in morrisseys pashernate love. another nightmare of you song has the same exact lyrics as part of a magnetic fields song. something to be looked into.
I was thinking it could be about the soldiers as well
And I wonder if the references to Paris have anything to do with Frances' initial criticism of the USA when going to war