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.
Not afraid to tell 'em like it is. Not afraid to be the badass in this.
Well I know that things are getting better.
Wanting again.
Calling out again.
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
If there are three steps to awareness then they havent found one yet.
The outline of their lives has lost it's sharpness.
Wanting again. (What we are, we are.)
Calling out again. (We're calling out again.)
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
I heard I could not stop it. I heard I could not change it.
I heard I could not help it, but I keep on trying.
Who ever said "we'd be last"? (Oh no!)
Who ever said "we'd be last"? 'Cause I dont think so.
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give." (x2)
Well I know that things are getting better.
Wanting again.
Calling out again.
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
If there are three steps to awareness then they havent found one yet.
The outline of their lives has lost it's sharpness.
Wanting again. (What we are, we are.)
Calling out again. (We're calling out again.)
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
I heard I could not stop it. I heard I could not change it.
I heard I could not help it, but I keep on trying.
Who ever said "we'd be last"? (Oh no!)
Who ever said "we'd be last"? 'Cause I dont think so.
And we're just as good as them, I know.
And we're just as good as them, if not better.
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give."
And now I know what they meant when they always said
"We're not noticed but we have so much more to give." (x2)
Lyrics submitted by skacore_dude
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Amazing song. Clearly about people who are not noticed unless you reach out to them and they turn out to be really good people.
Idk CFaz... a bunch of my friends and I saw them live and McWane said that this next song is about the state of Maine in general, and lyrically it makes sense. This could be false though seeing as that would be the second time McWane lied to us, like after the show.
I love McWayne's lyrics. I think this song is just about how when you don't worry about being popular or famous you realize that you can focus on more important things and people who don't realize this don't understand this.
"Not afraid to tell 'em like it is, not afraid to be the be the badass": This means that you shouldn't be afraid to be critical of people who are famous or popular.
"In this I know that things are getting better": Means once you get past trying to get noticed for what you do you are able to do it the way you want to and that makes it so much better.
"Wanting again. Calling out again. And we're just as good as them, I know. And we're just as good as them, if not better": When you do things your way it doesn't really matter if people like it or not.
"If there are three steps to awareness then they havent found one yet. The outline of their lives has lost it's sharpness": People can't be taught "see the light" they just have to figure it out for themselves. When people are absorbed in their own fame or popularity their lives are controlled by other people, I think it also means that when your famous people see you the way that they want to see you and not the way you actually are.
"And now I know what they meant when they always said 'We're not noticed but we have so much more to give.'": Realizing what was talked about in the first three verses, people who already knew this make so much sense.
"I heard I could not stop it. I heard I could not change it. I heard I could not help it, but I keep on trying": Now that he know's these things he tries to get people to think this way but other people say that you can't get the majority to understand but he will go on teying to get them to see.
"Who ever said 'we'd be last'? (Oh no!) Who ever said 'we'd be last'? 'Cause I dont think so: You shouldn't care about being "the best" because the title has no real meaning.
Ok this might be totally wrong, but this is always what I think of when I hear this song (unintentional rhyme). Being from Chicago, I notice that Chicago as a city is alway considered second best to NYC hence it being called the second city. Maybe McWayne is sympathizing with Chicago always being second to NYC and he is saying that no, Chicagoans are just as good as them, if not better. That's just a thought though.