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.
(Ladies and gentlemen of the underclass
The President of the United States of America
Is dead)
I don't believe in the politics
Of chosen fools and hypocrites
Who walk a line that's stretched so fine
Is death or glory had in mind?
Here we go: a gas mask illusion
No one knows who'll lead this revolution
Extension grows the way to a conclusion
It's too late, there's no time
It's too late, there's no time
All for none, never one, two, three, four
March of the dogs to a beat of disillusion
Sworn under God, breeding panic and confusion
The white flag is down; send in the clowns
The carnival of sins is now going to begin
It may be I'm a pessimist
But I say we need an exorcist
The root of all evil's standing tall
Under God and above us all
Here we go: beginner desperation
All we know is confusion and frustration
Un-stitch your clothes
No vision of salvation
It's too late, there's no time
It's too late, there's no time
All for none, never one, two, three, four
March of the dogs to a beat of disillusion
Sworn under God, breeding panic and confusion
The white flag is down; send in the clowns
The carnival of sins is now going to begin
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
A-one, two, three, four
Another president's dead
Because they blew off his head
No more necks to be red
Yes, to Heaven he fled
Was it something he said
Because of who's in his bed?
By who will we be led?
From whose hand will we be fed?
All the lies by the lying liars who said
We'll be fine, it's okay
Hey, look, mom, no head
It's okay, it's all right
The President of the United States of America
Is dead)
I don't believe in the politics
Of chosen fools and hypocrites
Who walk a line that's stretched so fine
Is death or glory had in mind?
Here we go: a gas mask illusion
No one knows who'll lead this revolution
Extension grows the way to a conclusion
It's too late, there's no time
It's too late, there's no time
All for none, never one, two, three, four
March of the dogs to a beat of disillusion
Sworn under God, breeding panic and confusion
The white flag is down; send in the clowns
The carnival of sins is now going to begin
It may be I'm a pessimist
But I say we need an exorcist
The root of all evil's standing tall
Under God and above us all
Here we go: beginner desperation
All we know is confusion and frustration
Un-stitch your clothes
No vision of salvation
It's too late, there's no time
It's too late, there's no time
All for none, never one, two, three, four
March of the dogs to a beat of disillusion
Sworn under God, breeding panic and confusion
The white flag is down; send in the clowns
The carnival of sins is now going to begin
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
A-one, two, three, four
Another president's dead
Because they blew off his head
No more necks to be red
Yes, to Heaven he fled
Was it something he said
Because of who's in his bed?
By who will we be led?
From whose hand will we be fed?
All the lies by the lying liars who said
We'll be fine, it's okay
Hey, look, mom, no head
It's okay, it's all right
Lyrics submitted by The1AndOnlyMe
March of the Dogs Lyrics as written by Deryck Jason Whibley Deryck Whibley
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Fixed. Thanks man.
I agree, I think it's a great song. To me though, it sounds a bit like a blink-182 song, not bad thing, I like blink, but very punk-pop.