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.
Verse 1:
It was your eyes that gave you up through that stupid disguise
You tryin' to hide behind your drink and you almost slipped by
I see you there,sophisticated, ignoring the beat
Mouth might be closed, but listen baby, your heart, it is screaming
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on
Verse 2:
It was a lie when they told you you were stuck here forever
They're all alone, the music's begging to bring us together
You've been away and now you (now you) won't dance
It's the only way back to your homeland
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on
I live my life on the inside of a drum,
I love it, love it, love it, love it.
Beautiful music when we play,
dont you wanna touch it, touch it, touch it, touch it...
and It's not hard living inside of a drum, it's nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Let's live our lives on the inside of a drum, and ay, ay, ay
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on.
It was your eyes that gave you up through that stupid disguise
You tryin' to hide behind your drink and you almost slipped by
I see you there,sophisticated, ignoring the beat
Mouth might be closed, but listen baby, your heart, it is screaming
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on
Verse 2:
It was a lie when they told you you were stuck here forever
They're all alone, the music's begging to bring us together
You've been away and now you (now you) won't dance
It's the only way back to your homeland
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on
I live my life on the inside of a drum,
I love it, love it, love it, love it.
Beautiful music when we play,
dont you wanna touch it, touch it, touch it, touch it...
and It's not hard living inside of a drum, it's nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing
Let's live our lives on the inside of a drum, and ay, ay, ay
Bridge:
You're one of us
One of those beautiful fools, you are
You're one of us
You were born in this song, so you should live in it
Chorus:
Live in a drum, whoa
You'll never be in it alone
If you live in a drum, whoa
Right now, you'd already be home
Live on, live on
The drum life never gets old
Live on, live on
The drum life keeps going on.
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
The song is about being true to yourself. Saying that unless you are who you are and not what others want you to be you wont be happy. Your the drummer of your own life story and only you can dance to that beat. your not ment to dance to someone else beat.