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.
Been bangin' my head against the window
Just trying to see the world outside
Some people say it doesn't matter
Some people take you for a ride
I am covered in blood and broken glass
It seems the window likes to fight
Some people say the world's on fire
Some people say the world's on ice
Some people say the world's on ice
Sweet all alone in alienation
Brick windows
I am sticking my face right through the glass
Just trying to see if the world's alive
Some people will say the window's broken
Some people will say it's all right
Some people will say it's all right
Keep bangin' my head against the wall (wall...)
Just trying to keep the past alive
Some people who make the windows shatter
Some people who make it airtight
Some people who make it airtight
Sweet all alone in alienation
Sweet all alone in alienation
Brick windows
Brick windows
Just trying to see the world outside
Some people say it doesn't matter
Some people take you for a ride
I am covered in blood and broken glass
It seems the window likes to fight
Some people say the world's on fire
Some people say the world's on ice
Some people say the world's on ice
Sweet all alone in alienation
Brick windows
I am sticking my face right through the glass
Just trying to see if the world's alive
Some people will say the window's broken
Some people will say it's all right
Some people will say it's all right
Keep bangin' my head against the wall (wall...)
Just trying to keep the past alive
Some people who make the windows shatter
Some people who make it airtight
Some people who make it airtight
Sweet all alone in alienation
Sweet all alone in alienation
Brick windows
Brick windows
Lyrics submitted by Consecrated
Brick Windows Lyrics as written by Allen D. Jourgensen Alien Jourgensen
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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wow, first comment? I love this track, one of my favourites on an very underrated album.
I think 'brick windows' is meant to symbolise something that should be transparent, but has been blocked up (obviously). You are trying to see the truth about the world, and the need to see the truth is burning and desparate ("banging my head against the window" until "covered in blood and broken glass"). However, the view is blocked and the truth about the world is hidden.
Various people will tell you different things about what's on the other side - some say it's on fire, some say it's on ice - i.e. people will try and tell you their own versions of the truth, but you can't see it for yourself. Some people even say it doesn't matter and don't care what the reality is.
Also I think the line "all alone in a relation" should be "Sweet all alone in alienation" - feeling alienated and alone from being shut off?
Overall, I love how the music is so upbeat and catchy, but on closer inspection the lyrics are full of frustration and a real feeling of claustrophobia.
This also reminds me of a line from Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" in the verse about Maggie's Pa - "his bedroom window, it is made out of bricks" - similar principle, but in comparison, Maggie's Pa doesn't want people looking into his room and wants to hide his truth from the outside world.
Did they remove the button for the correction of lyrics? So it seems...<br /> I ask this because, in my opinion, it's "Shrieked all alone in a relation". At least that's what I read in some lyrics I downloaded back in 1997.<br /> It could also be "Shrieked all alone in alienation". That would make much more sense.<br /> <br /> About the song's meaning, I agree with Little Miss Nitro. A little issue to clarify would be if this song's content is based on any particular event as it is the case with "Breathe".<br /> <br /> And speaking about Bob Dylan's songs, maybe he influenced in some way the birth of "Brick Windows". After all, Ministry covered "Lay Lady Lay" for this record. Maybe Bob Dylan was stuff they were listening to back on those days.