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.
I want to beat you up
I don't care, cause I won't feel sorry
I want to take you down
I know that you will see in glory
I want to beat you in
I'll make you feel my sorrow
I want to take you out
I'll come find you tomorrow
Every time you leave
I go down
I'll just wait for you to turn around
And kick your head in
I want you to let it drop
I don't care, 'cause I won't feel sorry
I want to mess you up
Keep on spending time with glory
I want to beat you up
You make me feel so hollow
I want to take you down
Every word you said you said you'll swallow
Every time you leave
Well I go down
I'll just have to wait till you turn around
And kick your head in
I want to beat you up
I don't care, 'cause I won't feel sorry
I want to take you down
I know that you will see in glory
I want to beat you in
I'll make you feel my sorrow
I want to take you out
I'll come find you tomorrow
Every time you leave
I go down
I'll just wait till you turn around
And kick your face in
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
I don't care, cause I won't feel sorry
I want to take you down
I know that you will see in glory
I want to beat you in
I'll make you feel my sorrow
I want to take you out
I'll come find you tomorrow
Every time you leave
I go down
I'll just wait for you to turn around
And kick your head in
I want you to let it drop
I don't care, 'cause I won't feel sorry
I want to mess you up
Keep on spending time with glory
I want to beat you up
You make me feel so hollow
I want to take you down
Every word you said you said you'll swallow
Every time you leave
Well I go down
I'll just have to wait till you turn around
And kick your head in
I want to beat you up
I don't care, 'cause I won't feel sorry
I want to take you down
I know that you will see in glory
I want to beat you in
I'll make you feel my sorrow
I want to take you out
I'll come find you tomorrow
Every time you leave
I go down
I'll just wait till you turn around
And kick your face in
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
To fix the gash in your head
Lyrics submitted by thiswasntmeantforme
To Fix the Gash in Your Head Lyrics as written by Oliver Ackermann
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, 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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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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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
I agree with what you said. I hadn't been sure of what to make of the "to fix the gash in your head," but I can definitely see it that way.
I'm definitely reminded of that feeling when someone leaves you, that combination vulnerability and hurt, mixed with wanting to lash out at him/her for making you feel the way you do. "Every time you leave/I go down" ... the hurt, "... and kick your head in" ... turned into anger, wanting to make the other hurt the way you do, and then all of that mixed with that sort of numb, "I'm going to ignore my feelings, I don't care about you, I'm happy" sort of gleefully angry fuck you emotion, if that makes any sense at all. Ha, I'm horrible at translating my thoughts into words...