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.
[rapid gunshots]
A bullet ran through my window and shot my clock
I ran out on the front porch and stood there shocked
They all out here shootin' up and down the street
I joined in on the action and blast my heat
Ratt-attat automatic, attacking sporadic
Shot two more hoods, and a stray crack addict
I took time to reload, as guns explode
Bodies and bloodstains all over the road
I called the Police, he came with sirens
Pulled up on the lawn, and saw me and started firin'
I barely escaped, I ain't seen this comin'
But everywhere I turn in the city, they gunnin' all out
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
People all on they roofs, runnin' and shootin' each other
Your wife, your mother, your brother, any motherfucker
Guns out and blast! It's all in the air
Random bullets wizzing offa shit everywhere
I shot a bitch in the earhole, I'm under the curse
Old ladies and priest shoot it out in the Church
I'm shot twice in the leg, but I'm all the way alive
If this is Armageddon, then fuck it, Imma survive
Two clips, a 45, and double barrel Mossberg
Aimin' straight for their chests, fuckin' tossed nerds
Everyone's armed, with the intention of harm
Fuckin' do not remain calm
Sound the alarm!
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
I felt a pellet gun plug me in the back of the neck
I little kid with red eyes, I blast it on back
All lights been shot out, it's dark out here
Listen to the hollowpoints whistle through the air
No two people seen workin' together
As soon as they load up, they blast on each other
I'm dumpin' on anybody movin' at all
I'm wounded, hidin' in the back of a strip mall
The nights get quieter as time moves on
Less people alive, nobody moves at dawn
Anyone caught slippin' gets picked off quick
The world's goin' on some pissed off shit
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
[gunshot]
A bullet ran through my window and shot my clock
I ran out on the front porch and stood there shocked
They all out here shootin' up and down the street
I joined in on the action and blast my heat
Ratt-attat automatic, attacking sporadic
Shot two more hoods, and a stray crack addict
I took time to reload, as guns explode
Bodies and bloodstains all over the road
I called the Police, he came with sirens
Pulled up on the lawn, and saw me and started firin'
I barely escaped, I ain't seen this comin'
But everywhere I turn in the city, they gunnin' all out
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
People all on they roofs, runnin' and shootin' each other
Your wife, your mother, your brother, any motherfucker
Guns out and blast! It's all in the air
Random bullets wizzing offa shit everywhere
I shot a bitch in the earhole, I'm under the curse
Old ladies and priest shoot it out in the Church
I'm shot twice in the leg, but I'm all the way alive
If this is Armageddon, then fuck it, Imma survive
Two clips, a 45, and double barrel Mossberg
Aimin' straight for their chests, fuckin' tossed nerds
Everyone's armed, with the intention of harm
Fuckin' do not remain calm
Sound the alarm!
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
I felt a pellet gun plug me in the back of the neck
I little kid with red eyes, I blast it on back
All lights been shot out, it's dark out here
Listen to the hollowpoints whistle through the air
No two people seen workin' together
As soon as they load up, they blast on each other
I'm dumpin' on anybody movin' at all
I'm wounded, hidin' in the back of a strip mall
The nights get quieter as time moves on
Less people alive, nobody moves at dawn
Anyone caught slippin' gets picked off quick
The world's goin' on some pissed off shit
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
They Shootin'!
They shootin' bullets at my fuckin' head!
They Shootin'!
I said They shootin' bullets my motherfuckin' head!
They all mad!
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
Ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-bam-ba-ba-ba-bam
[gunshot]
Lyrics submitted by Elimination
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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Great version of a great song,
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