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.
There's a vulture perching right off screen
And it's bitter and whispers chaotic things
And it reached in quick ain't it worrying
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, stop listening
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
And now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
You're a marionette in the center of
All the twisting strings coming from above
It may seem too deep to recover from
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, just let it go
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
And now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
When the voices start spinning just be aware
I have brought enough stones for us to share
That one's grinning that one's burning, aim for the throat
Let him choke on the stones that we are to throw
It's the great downfall
Not the overthrow
If you shoot them down
It'll make you soar
When reactions turn into hurricanes
And the middle course seems a little tame
Whether full or empty it's all the same
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, you're not to blame
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
But now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
And it's bitter and whispers chaotic things
And it reached in quick ain't it worrying
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, stop listening
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
And now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
You're a marionette in the center of
All the twisting strings coming from above
It may seem too deep to recover from
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, just let it go
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
And now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
I'm sorry
When the voices start spinning just be aware
I have brought enough stones for us to share
That one's grinning that one's burning, aim for the throat
Let him choke on the stones that we are to throw
It's the great downfall
Not the overthrow
If you shoot them down
It'll make you soar
When reactions turn into hurricanes
And the middle course seems a little tame
Whether full or empty it's all the same
It's so easy to see, everyone can agree, you're not to blame
I know you've heard it before
But then it wasn't enough
You don't wanna be held back from the substitution
I know you've seen this before
But now enough is too much
You don't wanna be set back when the substitution comes
I'm sorry
Lyrics submitted by combatwaffle
Substitution Lyrics as written by Christopher Andrew Guanlao Brian Nolan Kalei Aubert
Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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here's what I hear in that amazing part towards the end..
when reactions turn into hurricanes and the middle ground seems a little tame whether full or empty it's all the same it's so easy to see everyone can agree you're not to blame
I don't know, It's so hard to tell with Brian. This is just what I think would make more sense in the context of the song, which I believe is about the demise of a relationship. I hear a 'the hurricanes' too but it would make more sense if it were this way. I think he's trying to say the part of the relationship where every reaction starts a huge fight. But I still think this part is one of the best melodies he's ever written.
Yeah, after listening to it now, it definitely seems like that's what he's saying.<br /> <br /> It's odd how at first I heard Clown, then Cloud, and now I hear Ground.<br /> <br /> I'm pretty sure you're right though.