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.
This economy has been taken under siege
By an industry that's been dictated militarily
Dependent on oil, under foreign soil
Like a locomotive waiting to feel the water boil
And our jobs in new technology are going over seas
To bangalore and Tokyo and back to old Paris
If you're looking for job security
Look where your nation's spending all of your taxation
Je ne suis pas la bourgeoisie, we are the proletariat
The house can't stand without the foundation
Even though you bury it (Even though you bury it)
And even though my hand prepared the food you eat
You wouldn't stop to shake it if you saw me on the street
And we haven't changed a thing since 1944
The businessmen in office make a killing with the war
Rosie, you don't have to rivet anymore
But your living wage is what you're fighting for
Father's going to guarantee to build a better bomb
If Uncle Sam will guarantee a paycheck every month
Brother's in the infantry so he can go to college
After his 4th and final tour (Just one more tour)
And go ahead and call me a Communist
Because I care for the welfare of my people
I'm born your equal but don't you think it's evil
To own islands of property in a sea of starving people
Property in a sea of starving people
Property against my people
By an industry that's been dictated militarily
Dependent on oil, under foreign soil
Like a locomotive waiting to feel the water boil
And our jobs in new technology are going over seas
To bangalore and Tokyo and back to old Paris
If you're looking for job security
Look where your nation's spending all of your taxation
Je ne suis pas la bourgeoisie, we are the proletariat
The house can't stand without the foundation
Even though you bury it (Even though you bury it)
And even though my hand prepared the food you eat
You wouldn't stop to shake it if you saw me on the street
And we haven't changed a thing since 1944
The businessmen in office make a killing with the war
Rosie, you don't have to rivet anymore
But your living wage is what you're fighting for
Father's going to guarantee to build a better bomb
If Uncle Sam will guarantee a paycheck every month
Brother's in the infantry so he can go to college
After his 4th and final tour (Just one more tour)
And go ahead and call me a Communist
Because I care for the welfare of my people
I'm born your equal but don't you think it's evil
To own islands of property in a sea of starving people
Property in a sea of starving people
Property against my people
Lyrics submitted by alecw19
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