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.
We'll keep on talking this out
But I've already made up your mind
I've been trying to gnaw through my tongue
To stop from confessing my crimes
And this conversation is wearing me down
What did my patience prove
If it's just another bed of nails?
Always the silent treatment
Always the easy way out alive
If there's no further questions I'll be on my way back home.
Well it's just another sharp pain and it doesn't hurt like it used to
When I was a desperate man
When I still believed in the meaning of the word
You tried to warn me
You and your consequences
If I am outnumbered
If I am defenseless
If I come here unarmed
In the middle of the night, on my own
Standing on the front lines, I will die
If you invite me down
If it'll please the crowd
And I only go through this for your amusement
But it doesn't hurt like it should when you're throwing your stones around
I’m alone trying to sleep it off
But it's hard not to shake at the sound of it breaking
When you're living in a house of mirrors reflecting all of my failures
I will concede to my replacement
Congratulations
It's over and over and over again
It's over and over and over again
I was in for the long run when you cut me down
Another sharp pain
A servant to your throne
Always the silent treatment
Always the stubborn child
I kept my mouth shut tight
I kept my mouth shut tight
Always the one that got away
Always the silent treatment
I only have myself to blame
Always the silent treatment…
But I've already made up your mind
I've been trying to gnaw through my tongue
To stop from confessing my crimes
And this conversation is wearing me down
What did my patience prove
If it's just another bed of nails?
Always the silent treatment
Always the easy way out alive
If there's no further questions I'll be on my way back home.
Well it's just another sharp pain and it doesn't hurt like it used to
When I was a desperate man
When I still believed in the meaning of the word
You tried to warn me
You and your consequences
If I am outnumbered
If I am defenseless
If I come here unarmed
In the middle of the night, on my own
Standing on the front lines, I will die
If you invite me down
If it'll please the crowd
And I only go through this for your amusement
But it doesn't hurt like it should when you're throwing your stones around
I’m alone trying to sleep it off
But it's hard not to shake at the sound of it breaking
When you're living in a house of mirrors reflecting all of my failures
I will concede to my replacement
Congratulations
It's over and over and over again
It's over and over and over again
I was in for the long run when you cut me down
Another sharp pain
A servant to your throne
Always the silent treatment
Always the stubborn child
I kept my mouth shut tight
I kept my mouth shut tight
Always the one that got away
Always the silent treatment
I only have myself to blame
Always the silent treatment…
Lyrics submitted by Lanimilbus
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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