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.
Eternity, eternity
It's just a paycheck away
So chase that tail, chase your tail
The American tale
Apathy, complacency
Can I hear three cheers for thee?
(No? Oh well...)
Ahhh...
We know, we know, that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
Commute, work, commute, sleep
We've got cars and homes to feed
Left my hair, left my hair, strands of myself in the sink
Nothing to say, nothing to say
'Cause that's all, all they wanna hear
Ahhh...
We know, we know that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
So point me toward the morning
Can you point me toward the morning
Someone point me toward the morning
No more is it a sure thing
So point me toward the morning
Can you point me toward the morning
Someone point me toward the...
Apartment complex reeks
Of old takeout Chinese
At night the ventilation speaks
Russian and Cantonese
Ahhh...
We know, we know, that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
Oh, we know, we know that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know...
We won't be this easily dismissed
No, we won't be so easily dismissed
It's just a paycheck away
So chase that tail, chase your tail
The American tale
Apathy, complacency
Can I hear three cheers for thee?
(No? Oh well...)
Ahhh...
We know, we know, that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
Commute, work, commute, sleep
We've got cars and homes to feed
Left my hair, left my hair, strands of myself in the sink
Nothing to say, nothing to say
'Cause that's all, all they wanna hear
Ahhh...
We know, we know that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
So point me toward the morning
Can you point me toward the morning
Someone point me toward the morning
No more is it a sure thing
So point me toward the morning
Can you point me toward the morning
Someone point me toward the...
Apartment complex reeks
Of old takeout Chinese
At night the ventilation speaks
Russian and Cantonese
Ahhh...
We know, we know, that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know
We won't be this easily dismissed
Oh, we know, we know that we are more than this
More than we know, there's a reason we exist
We know, we know, we know...
We won't be this easily dismissed
No, we won't be so easily dismissed
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