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.
Three chords and six strings
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
Three chords and six strings
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
They're young but the lines have been drawn
And they're still gonna be here when you're gone
And years from now when your clique has moved on
They'll still be in the basement til the break of dawn
Sweating blood into every single song
And still feeling like they don't belong
And it'll be here for the down and out
And every generation that needs to shout
About injustice or
Just how we need to shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this motherfucker down
You can slag it when you leave and spite it
You can't shut this fucker down
It still burns with the fire that once ignited you
You can't shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this fucker down
They're young but you were there too
Don't think they're posing just because they never knew
The songs or the scene, it was there before you
And it's way more important than your hair and tattoos
Take what you need and leave when you're through
And keep your mouth shut when you do
And it'll be here for the down and out
And every generation that needs to shout
About injustice or
Just how we need to shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this motherfucker down
You can slag it when you leave and spite it
You can't shut this fucker down
It still burns with the fire that once ignited you
You can't shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this fucker down
Three chords and six strings
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
Three chords and six strings
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
They're young but the lines have been drawn
And they're still gonna be here when you're gone
And years from now when your clique has moved on
They'll still be in the basement til the break of dawn
Sweating blood into every single song
And still feeling like they don't belong
And it'll be here for the down and out
And every generation that needs to shout
About injustice or
Just how we need to shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this motherfucker down
You can slag it when you leave and spite it
You can't shut this fucker down
It still burns with the fire that once ignited you
You can't shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this fucker down
They're young but you were there too
Don't think they're posing just because they never knew
The songs or the scene, it was there before you
And it's way more important than your hair and tattoos
Take what you need and leave when you're through
And keep your mouth shut when you do
And it'll be here for the down and out
And every generation that needs to shout
About injustice or
Just how we need to shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this motherfucker down
You can slag it when you leave and spite it
You can't shut this fucker down
It still burns with the fire that once ignited you
You can't shut this fucker down
Shut it down
Shut it down
You just can't shut this fucker down
Three chords and six strings
They're screaming how they're gonna change things
They're young, they're strong and proud
We turn it up cause we like it loud
Lyrics submitted by punkpirate
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this song gives me chills everytime i hear it it captures punk spirit so well and this is so true