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.
I have seen the greatest minds.
Sedated and raped.
A generation of model citizens
Selling to the highest bidder.
When everything stops
And there is only ragged
laughter left,
When everything is
colourless and dull
You will finally know
You are empty and alone.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
Everything you've ever wanted
Denied to you.
You are a trapped rat
Searching for escape
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
I'll let you fall
Back into the chaos
Like a diving bell
You're a fucking waste.
Failure, victim, acidic
Malignant.
You're empty and flawed.
You've hit a social dead-end.
Redundant, submissive,
Shallow, vacant
You whore.
We are all in the gutter
But some of us look for the stars.
You have buried yourself in binary
Where is your vision?
You whore.
A world revolving in
locked grooves
Every pass drives the
needle deeper
Every day is another dollar
And every dollar makes the
walls much steeper.
Even a clock strives to stop,
Though time keeps ticking on.
You have chosen the void.
Everything repeating and cowering
Even a clock strives to stop
Though time keeps ticking on.
Product of an uncertain age.
No risk, no reward.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
You could have been someone
But you are a nothing.
Any personality has been degraded.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
Rather serve nine to five
Than reign in uncertainty.
You're a fucking waste.
Failure, victim, acidic
Malignant.
You're empty and flawed.
You've hit a social dead-end.
Redundant, submissive,
Shallow, vacant
You whore.
Sedated and raped.
A generation of model citizens
Selling to the highest bidder.
When everything stops
And there is only ragged
laughter left,
When everything is
colourless and dull
You will finally know
You are empty and alone.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
Everything you've ever wanted
Denied to you.
You are a trapped rat
Searching for escape
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
I'll let you fall
Back into the chaos
Like a diving bell
You're a fucking waste.
Failure, victim, acidic
Malignant.
You're empty and flawed.
You've hit a social dead-end.
Redundant, submissive,
Shallow, vacant
You whore.
We are all in the gutter
But some of us look for the stars.
You have buried yourself in binary
Where is your vision?
You whore.
A world revolving in
locked grooves
Every pass drives the
needle deeper
Every day is another dollar
And every dollar makes the
walls much steeper.
Even a clock strives to stop,
Though time keeps ticking on.
You have chosen the void.
Everything repeating and cowering
Even a clock strives to stop
Though time keeps ticking on.
Product of an uncertain age.
No risk, no reward.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
You could have been someone
But you are a nothing.
Any personality has been degraded.
You have only yourself to blame.
Your weakness and fear.
You're a trapped rat.
Always searching for escape.
Rather serve nine to five
Than reign in uncertainty.
You're a fucking waste.
Failure, victim, acidic
Malignant.
You're empty and flawed.
You've hit a social dead-end.
Redundant, submissive,
Shallow, vacant
You whore.
Lyrics submitted by nufy8
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I find that this entire album has a similar anti-establishment theme to it.