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.
They say that we ain't got the style
We ain't got the class
We ain't got the tunes that's goin to put us on the map
And I'm a phony in disguise
Trying to make the radio
I'm an anti-social anarchist, I sound like so and so
They say I'm just a stupid kid
Another crazy radical
Rock and roll is dead I probably should've stayed in school
Another Generation X who somehow slipped up through the cracks
Oh they'd love to see me fall but I'm already on my back
And it goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know I never bother
I goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit
They can kiss the back of my hand
Now I know I'm not a saint
I been a sinner all my life
I ain't tryin to hide me flaws
I'd rather keep them in the light
They wanna criticize, scrutinize
Cast another stone
Burn me at the stake and sit and watch it from their throne
They say the devil is my pal
I do a lotta drugs
The crowd will only like me if they're really fuckin' drunk
They think they know my thoughts
But they don't know the least
If they listened to the words they'd find the message tucked beneath
But it goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin shit even though they never bother
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit, they can kiss the back of my hand
(You hear that)
(You hear what's coming? Oh you better run for the hills)
('Cause we're coming to your town, and we're gonna burn that mother fucker down)
Here's the moral to the story
We don't do it for the glory
We don't do it for the money
We don't do it for the fame
So all the critics who despise us, go ahead and criticize us
It's your tyranny that drives us, adds the fire to our flames
And it goes
In one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know we'll never bother
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
I'm only playing music 'cause you know I fucking love it
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know we'll never bother
It goes in one ear, and right out the other
People talkin' shit well you know they can kiss the back of my hand
We ain't got the class
We ain't got the tunes that's goin to put us on the map
And I'm a phony in disguise
Trying to make the radio
I'm an anti-social anarchist, I sound like so and so
They say I'm just a stupid kid
Another crazy radical
Rock and roll is dead I probably should've stayed in school
Another Generation X who somehow slipped up through the cracks
Oh they'd love to see me fall but I'm already on my back
And it goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know I never bother
I goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit
They can kiss the back of my hand
Now I know I'm not a saint
I been a sinner all my life
I ain't tryin to hide me flaws
I'd rather keep them in the light
They wanna criticize, scrutinize
Cast another stone
Burn me at the stake and sit and watch it from their throne
They say the devil is my pal
I do a lotta drugs
The crowd will only like me if they're really fuckin' drunk
They think they know my thoughts
But they don't know the least
If they listened to the words they'd find the message tucked beneath
But it goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin shit even though they never bother
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit, they can kiss the back of my hand
(You hear that)
(You hear what's coming? Oh you better run for the hills)
('Cause we're coming to your town, and we're gonna burn that mother fucker down)
Here's the moral to the story
We don't do it for the glory
We don't do it for the money
We don't do it for the fame
So all the critics who despise us, go ahead and criticize us
It's your tyranny that drives us, adds the fire to our flames
And it goes
In one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know we'll never bother
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
I'm only playing music 'cause you know I fucking love it
It goes in one ear
And right out the other
People talkin' shit but you know we'll never bother
It goes in one ear, and right out the other
People talkin' shit well you know they can kiss the back of my hand
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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“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.
its defenitly "they wanna critices, scrutinize, cast another stone" and "burn me at the stake and sit and watch it from the THRONE" i think.. Makes since eitehr way..
It's definitely "throne", not" dome".
And "criticize, scrutinize" not "criticize, you know."