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.
Let it be said
that power rewards cruelty
Let it be known
to raise your thoughts and raise your minds
Claim your lives
And it's a fact,
the human mind is all for greed
And only one is needed for a revolution to breathe
Now we will succeed
If only we had known what we were part of
It's all just one big evolutionary joke
We rule the world today
But soon it will be yours
One day that defines your race
And it opens up that door
A conquest of magnitude
That's too much to describe
Live your brand new lives
Now get to know a culture, History all your own
And never go beyond the ideals
That common sense let's you know
Or else it's time to go
that power rewards cruelty
Let it be known
to raise your thoughts and raise your minds
Claim your lives
And it's a fact,
the human mind is all for greed
And only one is needed for a revolution to breathe
Now we will succeed
If only we had known what we were part of
It's all just one big evolutionary joke
We rule the world today
But soon it will be yours
One day that defines your race
And it opens up that door
A conquest of magnitude
That's too much to describe
Live your brand new lives
Now get to know a culture, History all your own
And never go beyond the ideals
That common sense let's you know
Or else it's time to go
Lyrics submitted by Passer-bye
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.