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.
Now I'm stealing cigarettes
And selling off to friends for rent
Plus a paycheck and still in debt?
I'm asking how could this be?
I know they know I'm beneath them
Even "Homeless Assholes" know my name
Now it's "Urban Flight" or cell for a night
Y'know it's all the same
One can tell themselves
About when "Going Gets Rough"
But determination just isn't enough
When over-time defines your life
This American me
Tradition tells us home own
But the timecards saying no go
Now the suits are talking foreclose
From sea to shining sea
Time was a war time economy
Was a silver lining to tragedy
But even those with homes
Are now those alone
In the land of the free
I asked for nothing
And I got it in spades
Worked for a living and I earned a cage
Now they say I look old for my age
This American me
And selling off to friends for rent
Plus a paycheck and still in debt?
I'm asking how could this be?
I know they know I'm beneath them
Even "Homeless Assholes" know my name
Now it's "Urban Flight" or cell for a night
Y'know it's all the same
One can tell themselves
About when "Going Gets Rough"
But determination just isn't enough
When over-time defines your life
This American me
Tradition tells us home own
But the timecards saying no go
Now the suits are talking foreclose
From sea to shining sea
Time was a war time economy
Was a silver lining to tragedy
But even those with homes
Are now those alone
In the land of the free
I asked for nothing
And I got it in spades
Worked for a living and I earned a cage
Now they say I look old for my age
This American me
Lyrics submitted by MizunoPunk
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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Can't believe almost a year has gone by and not one comment on this song
Incredibly timely portrayal of living in modern America complete with all the economic and social pressures that go into daily life
This song is brutally realistic, it's saying that despite rebellion and differences from "Americans" were all conformists living the same lifestyle's, working job's and hating our lives, even though we are supposedly living the American dream. You can protest politics and the ignorance associated with this country and strive to be different, but we are all so manipulated to live a certain way, the traditional american lifestyle will snatch your individuality. And the honest truth is we are still just pigs like the majority of the ignorant people across the nation.