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.
Roses in the car
Roses in the car
Bony saddle, bony street
Corrugated iron sheet
This bed is not concrete
This bed in which you sleep
Flesh is flesh til blood runs cold
And blood is blood, so I am told
Your carbon makes a star
Your carbon makes a star
And after all, that's all we are
After all, that's all we are
That’s all we are
That’s all we are
That’s all we are
All these young men, these young lions
All these young men, these young lions
You don't know if it’s true
Or if to believe in you
There are tunnels through the stone
Where weaker hearts have made a home
Their roses in a car
Their roses in a car
And after all that's all we are
After all that's all we are
And isn't it bizarre
The adults that we are
Still playing
Follow the leader
Body don't break
Body don't break
Body don't break
Til broken
Body gonna make
Body gonna make
Body gonna make
Another body
Don't want to be the last to leave
Roses in the car
Bony saddle, bony street
Corrugated iron sheet
This bed is not concrete
This bed in which you sleep
Flesh is flesh til blood runs cold
And blood is blood, so I am told
Your carbon makes a star
Your carbon makes a star
And after all, that's all we are
After all, that's all we are
That’s all we are
That’s all we are
That’s all we are
All these young men, these young lions
All these young men, these young lions
You don't know if it’s true
Or if to believe in you
There are tunnels through the stone
Where weaker hearts have made a home
Their roses in a car
Their roses in a car
And after all that's all we are
After all that's all we are
And isn't it bizarre
The adults that we are
Still playing
Follow the leader
Body don't break
Body don't break
Body don't break
Til broken
Body gonna make
Body gonna make
Body gonna make
Another body
Don't want to be the last to leave
Lyrics submitted by Tennie7
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Personally I think this is about young soilders going to war.
'All these young men, these young lions ' It shows how they're brave and courageous, much like lions.
'Their roses in a car' Are the roses ontop of the coffin in the back of a hurse, so these young soilders have died in battle.
'Your carbon makes a star' Is a version of reincarnation.
That's what I think anyway! It's a great song! x
My belief is this is a song reference to the horrors and decimation First World War.
"Lions lead by donkeys" is a well used quote. Therefore 'Young Lions' is an extension of this. Plus "All these young men, these young lions" is a definite military reference.
It's not totally apparent but some pointers lead me in this belief...
"Bony saddle, bony street"... horses not vehicles were the main mode of transport. "Corrugated iron sheet"... used to reinforce the walls of the trenches "This bed is not concrete, This bed in which you sleep"... see above.
"Your carbon makes a star"... reference to the missing dead in unmarked graves. Family and friends never had the bodies repatriated so look to the heavens for their loved ones.
"There are tunnels through the stone"... tunnelling was rife to undermine the opposing trenches. "The adults that we are, Still playing, Follow the leader"... reference to the thousands killed whilst walking in line to the trenches.
I seriously do hope it's about the First World War, as (for a relatively young band) it shows a depth of understanding of both world events and of the human condition beyond their years. Respect due.
What an amazing song! I love the line... 'Flesh is flesh til blood runs cold And blood is blood, so I am told'
I love the line 'Your carbon makes a star, and after all, that's all we are.' It is a scientific version of reincarnation.
some references to the armed forces and funeral services?
I think this song has alot to do with making the most of your time on this earth.
Well if the "armed forces" idea is correct, then perhaps some inspiration from the Brando movie?
favourite from new album :)
Agree with the other comments about war- thought I'd add my thoughts about some of the other lines. "Flesh is flesh til blood runs cold"- perhaps referring to how war changes our views on the sacredness of human life? i.e. "human flesh is sacred, until there is hostility"- think of 'killing in cold blood'. On another level, it's got an air of the same wonderment that's in the rest of the song at how death is so intangible, we can't quite describe how it changes things so dramatically- a person suddenly changes to a corpse. "Body gonna make another body"- again, human life becoming cheap, more people can be made to replace them on the conveyor belt.
Such a beautiful song!