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.
Everything is free now
that's what they say
Everything I ever done
gonna give it away
Someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we're gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
I could get a straight job
I've done it before
I never minded working hard
it is who I'm working for
Or I could get a tip-job
gas up a car
or try to make a little change
down at the bar
'Cause everything is free now
that's what they say
and everything I ever done
gonna have to give it away
'Cause someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
Everyday I wake up
am humming this song
and I don't need to run around
I can just stay at home
and sing this little love song
for the love in myself
If there's something that you wanna hear
you can sing it yourself
'Cause everything is free now
that's what I say
Everything you ever done
gonna give it away
'Cause someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
...'cause everything is free now
that's what they say
Everything I ever done
gonna give it away
Someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we're gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
I could get a straight job
I've done it before
I never minded working hard
it is who I'm working for
Or I could get a tip-job
gas up a car
or try to make a little change
down at the bar
'Cause everything is free now
that's what they say
and everything I ever done
gonna have to give it away
'Cause someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
Everyday I wake up
am humming this song
and I don't need to run around
I can just stay at home
and sing this little love song
for the love in myself
If there's something that you wanna hear
you can sing it yourself
'Cause everything is free now
that's what I say
Everything you ever done
gonna give it away
'Cause someone hit the big score
they figured it out
that we gonna do it anyway
even if it doesn't pay
...'cause everything is free now
Lyrics submitted by lww
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I am not against the anti piracy interpretation of this song, but I did have a completely different impression of its message. Like onechad said, to me this song is about something bigger than file sharing. Think of a dystopian (extreme socialist) future like what is depicted in 1984.Â
In a world where the government owns all property and production - money as we know it has no meaning or value and therefor "Everything is free now."
Looking at the refrain it first goes: "Everything is free now thats what they say everything I ever done gonna give it away cause someone hit the big score they figured it out that we're gonna do it anyway even if it doesn't pay." Then at the end: "Everything is free now thats what I say everything you ever done gonna give it away cause someone hit the big score they figured it out that we're gonna do it anyway even if it doesn't pay cause everything is free now." The major difference between them is who is talking and who is giving what they've done away. When she says it's all free we give up what we've done, when someone else says it then she has to. Whatever this situation is someone has won big and someone else or everyone else has lost even the right to own what they produce.
The first verse about who she has to work for. She could get a solid government job or an illegal job and actually get paid - not in clean money - but in fuel or illicit liquor profits.
The second verse is about the state of the entertainment industry in context. You don't need to go to a public place for a good song because the only place for it is in private at home. If you want to hear a song you actually like - sing it yourself because recorded music does not exist.Â
The Tiny could have only meant this song to be about  anti piracy, but as JackTHorn says the group would not suffer as much as the record label would from the issue. This is merely what I feel as I listen to it.