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.
He didn't see it comin' until it was too late
He had a bad feelin' can't hesitate
And at the end of the day he was so tired
And he looked at the television
And whose the fuckin liar
He hates society, he thinks it's to big
It's just about killin' a man with his ring
And he knew what was happening, millions in gold
He's the first on the case and there's a murder to shoot
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
Question the ethics, right or wrong
Secret identity started so young
He never made friends, ah don't get too close
For a man who's got nothin', he's just got the mercy
His family never knows the truth
'Cause he gets caught when he tells the truth
No friends to lose or time to betray
The rendition from the papers gonna bake him again
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
See through his eyes, his eyes alone
Intensified anger, can't be controlled
He turned his indiscretion, he brought it all down
If there was ever force of reason it could never be found
The timing was perfect, this kid he was cleared
Computers down, he's clasped his fear
A different mind lives in a way
It's a good good thing that he got it straight
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
He had a bad feelin' can't hesitate
And at the end of the day he was so tired
And he looked at the television
And whose the fuckin liar
He hates society, he thinks it's to big
It's just about killin' a man with his ring
And he knew what was happening, millions in gold
He's the first on the case and there's a murder to shoot
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
Question the ethics, right or wrong
Secret identity started so young
He never made friends, ah don't get too close
For a man who's got nothin', he's just got the mercy
His family never knows the truth
'Cause he gets caught when he tells the truth
No friends to lose or time to betray
The rendition from the papers gonna bake him again
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
See through his eyes, his eyes alone
Intensified anger, can't be controlled
He turned his indiscretion, he brought it all down
If there was ever force of reason it could never be found
The timing was perfect, this kid he was cleared
Computers down, he's clasped his fear
A different mind lives in a way
It's a good good thing that he got it straight
Bright lights, here comes the night
Interrogate the kid with the .357
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
I'm gonna (I'm gonna blast 'em)
Lyrics submitted by acidmaniac
Blast 'Em Lyrics as written by Roger M. Freeman Lars Frederiksen
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i'm guessing most people haven't heard this song, it's on the 'Time Bomb' single, I think it's the same sorta meaning as 'Travis Bickle'. great energetic tune to it, better than on Travis Bickle IMO.
This one seems to have the same sort of meaning as Time Bomb and Travis Bickle, but I think its better. Especially the part where the vocals go back and forth durning the chorus.