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.
Then you wake
Another body bag, pathetic
Picture frame obituary faded in the attic
A shadow of someone you used to be
You've seen so many in these flames
And swore that you'd never become the clich
A long forgotten memory
And then you wake
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
Another day, a little dirt for the grave
Is it worth everything that you gave
What a beautiful way to waste away
Consumed by dependency
A lesson in despondency
A long forgotten memory
And then you wake
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
And then you wake
How quickly the master
Turns into the slave
Slowly succumbing more
Every dying day
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
Another body bag, pathetic
Picture frame obituary faded in the attic
A shadow of someone you used to be
You've seen so many in these flames
And swore that you'd never become the clich
A long forgotten memory
And then you wake
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
Another day, a little dirt for the grave
Is it worth everything that you gave
What a beautiful way to waste away
Consumed by dependency
A lesson in despondency
A long forgotten memory
And then you wake
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
And then you wake
How quickly the master
Turns into the slave
Slowly succumbing more
Every dying day
Everything you ever wanted
Everything you never had
Everything learned, forgotten and dead
Everything turns to nothing
Lyrics submitted by devilboiye
Everything to Nothing Lyrics as written by David Randall Blythe Chris Adler
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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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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.
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Why hasn't anyone commented this amazing song yet ?
Anyways, my view on this song is about a man that doesn't want to go to war or be a part of the "government rule" and yet, one day he just gives in and he realizes that he's now a part of what he feared most.
that's my take on the song.
You got the lyrics wrong, but it was a good attempt at them by just listening to the song, I noticed you were wrong in these places
"And swore that youÃd never become the cliche" not machine.
"Everything learned, forgotten and dead" not lies.
"Slowly succumbing more, Every dying day" not age.
Good try though! If you don't believe the lyrics are probably on their website under releases then click Wrath.
Props to Lamb of God to their efforts on this. Just some corrections:
"Then you wake... Another body bag, pathetic"
"Another day, a little dirt for the grave Is it worth everything that you gave?"
"Slowly succumbing with Every dying day"
all wronge. its also about addiction and alcoholism i heard it from randy blyths fucking mouth on utube. they r anti drug/alcohol band cuz they used to be addicts
this song is definitely about addiction.."Consumed by dependency" that gives it away right there to me..thats just my take on it though, awesome song
and why the hell isnt there more comments on this song??? this is one of their most powerful songs
probably cos dopefromie nailed it right on the head... very strong song how quickly the master turns into the slave. so fucking true
This song is my favorite because I, personally, can directly relate to it. This song is about addiction and dependency. When you addicted to a substance, it becomes the machine that runs your life. Your thoughts and actions all revolve around the substance and you are oblivious to this, until it is too late and you are consequently dependant up the substance. In my opinion, the song specifically refers to the point of addiction and dependency at which the user realizes that everything has gone to nothing. You realize that you, the one was at one point the master, are now the slave. You are now merely a shadow of someone you once used to be. It is at this point of realization, which one truly decides the path of either denial or acceptance to the dependency. After listening to "Broken Hands" and interpreting it as a song of self empowerment. I feel "Broken Hands" would have been much better suited to appear as the track that follows "Everything to Nothing", because of their meanings.