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.
So this is Great Britain
And welcome aboard
A sinking ship that's full of shit
And someone nicked the oars
With failing false economy
And anti-punk autonomy
Our once unique Identity's
Been washed from our shores
This is Great Britain
And these are our whores
David and Victoria
There's hope for us all
You can rule Britannia
The media will marry you
They build you up and knock you down
Just like the Berlin Wall
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Yeah, this is Great Britain
So let's raise a jar
Just look at Georgie Best
And how it got him so far
The prince of pleasure lost his crown
By getting high and getting down
The alcoholic anti-hero's
Visibly scarred
Come on Great Britain
Let's sleep around
Sex is so much funnier
You better spread it around
It really is infectious
And your soul is nothing precious
So grab some meat and treat your loins
To that by which they're bound
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Just a bunch of slaves, just a bunch of slaves
We'll soon be state Britain
If our best friends have their way
Just another star upon the flag across the waves
We'll soon be state Britain
If our best friends have their way
Just another star upon the flag across the waves
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Just a bunch of slaves, just a bunch of slaves
And welcome aboard
A sinking ship that's full of shit
And someone nicked the oars
With failing false economy
And anti-punk autonomy
Our once unique Identity's
Been washed from our shores
This is Great Britain
And these are our whores
David and Victoria
There's hope for us all
You can rule Britannia
The media will marry you
They build you up and knock you down
Just like the Berlin Wall
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Yeah, this is Great Britain
So let's raise a jar
Just look at Georgie Best
And how it got him so far
The prince of pleasure lost his crown
By getting high and getting down
The alcoholic anti-hero's
Visibly scarred
Come on Great Britain
Let's sleep around
Sex is so much funnier
You better spread it around
It really is infectious
And your soul is nothing precious
So grab some meat and treat your loins
To that by which they're bound
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Just a bunch of slaves, just a bunch of slaves
We'll soon be state Britain
If our best friends have their way
Just another star upon the flag across the waves
We'll soon be state Britain
If our best friends have their way
Just another star upon the flag across the waves
In a land of hope and glory
Do we really rule the waves?
The truth is a different story
We're all just a bunch of slaves
Just a bunch of slaves, just a bunch of slaves
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Light Up The Sky
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Van Halen
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I think the song is about the decline in Britains identity and our apparent dependance on america.
I love the line "a sinking ship thats full of shit and someones nicked the oars"
genius!
Absolutly fantastic This song doesn't need describing they basically summed up modern day britain and its flaws in 2 and a half minutes brilliant
first comment on such a great song ,these guys are lyrical masterminds,seriously such great songs,this one all about how shit britain is and is getting worse,last verse is good about america taking over,we dont want that,its shit as it is here,dont want poxy yanks taking over
The title of this song is actually So This Is Great Britain.