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.
We tough as nails in my family
You mess with them, yo, you messin' with me
Wouldn't believe the shit we've been through
Mark my words, better me than you
We was brought up in a battle ground
Every third day, thugs be comin' around
They been sent the way 'cause we were bound
To bear the burden of what went down
It was our business
Even if it hurt we were self righteous
Social services parked outside
Tried to take us away
Mama wouldn't abide, na, na, na
We've laughed and we've cried
Through the hardships we've been tied
You gotta chose your battles right
Know when to forfeit, know when to fight
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
A couple cuts and bruises were easy to hide
Sun glasses hide a black eye
But you can't run away from a black soul
So many secrets we never told
Why your clothes be dirty'
Why your hair all messy'
Why you look so ill'
Couldn't pay the water bill
Had to keep the light on for the homework
So excuse us, we got a couple of quirks
I trivialize 'cause the truth hurts
So much more than a little dirt
Even if it's all bottled up inside
It's a lot more noble than a suicide
We survive, we alive, we got pride
We be tight
You know we ride to a certain degree
To keep that shit in the family
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
It takes a lot more courage to love
Than it does to hate
Anyone who's got a family can relate
Ain't never really dissipates
May take my whole life to get it straight
But it makes me who I am
And I wouldn't trade that for nothin'
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
You mess with them, yo, you messin' with me
Wouldn't believe the shit we've been through
Mark my words, better me than you
We was brought up in a battle ground
Every third day, thugs be comin' around
They been sent the way 'cause we were bound
To bear the burden of what went down
It was our business
Even if it hurt we were self righteous
Social services parked outside
Tried to take us away
Mama wouldn't abide, na, na, na
We've laughed and we've cried
Through the hardships we've been tied
You gotta chose your battles right
Know when to forfeit, know when to fight
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
A couple cuts and bruises were easy to hide
Sun glasses hide a black eye
But you can't run away from a black soul
So many secrets we never told
Why your clothes be dirty'
Why your hair all messy'
Why you look so ill'
Couldn't pay the water bill
Had to keep the light on for the homework
So excuse us, we got a couple of quirks
I trivialize 'cause the truth hurts
So much more than a little dirt
Even if it's all bottled up inside
It's a lot more noble than a suicide
We survive, we alive, we got pride
We be tight
You know we ride to a certain degree
To keep that shit in the family
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
It takes a lot more courage to love
Than it does to hate
Anyone who's got a family can relate
Ain't never really dissipates
May take my whole life to get it straight
But it makes me who I am
And I wouldn't trade that for nothin'
We get a little bit closer every time we ride
A little bit tougher every time we die
A little better 'cause at least we tried
A little bit nicer 'cause we know we fly
That's how we roll in my family
To add insult to injury
If you use a knife, cut straight to bone
Go hard or go home
Lyrics submitted by BleedorBreathe
Go Hard or Go Home Lyrics as written by Imani Coppola Mike Mangini
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.