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.
Man you look like old man's eyes
When I saw you in that room
And now you're on tour
They booked you in the asylum
You work so hard at being a buffoon
And now you ain't got no incentive left
You popped your own balloon
You wanted to be somebody
But you ain't nobody
You ain't got no body
You're just a head
You're just a pothead
I heard one day they said you got so high
You ate up a chicken head and it was still alive
I have some friends who swear you did so don't deny
Some day you're gonna get so messed up
You'll eat the head off your kid
And won't you be sorry, pothead.
You brag to all your friends
About the fun you had last night
I wonder if you realize you forgot to brush your teeth
And then you'll come a bummin,
Asking for some money
You even tried to roll the sacred pages
And you burnt your lip
That lip is has a trench in it
Where that wild weed sits
Sucking like a parasite
Of any sense you might have left
You say that you are happy
And you like stormy weather
Well I think that you're just dumb
And you don't know any better
You play your rock and roll guitar
You say you're gonna be a big star
But everyone in this neighborhood
Knows just who you are
No I ain't tryin' to be hard
I don't mean to be cruel
I'm just tryin' to say something that'll shock,
You into going back, to school
Or maybe at least reality
In this year
You wanted to be somebody
But you ain't nobody
You ain't got no body
You're just a head
When I saw you in that room
And now you're on tour
They booked you in the asylum
You work so hard at being a buffoon
And now you ain't got no incentive left
You popped your own balloon
You wanted to be somebody
But you ain't nobody
You ain't got no body
You're just a head
You're just a pothead
I heard one day they said you got so high
You ate up a chicken head and it was still alive
I have some friends who swear you did so don't deny
Some day you're gonna get so messed up
You'll eat the head off your kid
And won't you be sorry, pothead.
You brag to all your friends
About the fun you had last night
I wonder if you realize you forgot to brush your teeth
And then you'll come a bummin,
Asking for some money
You even tried to roll the sacred pages
And you burnt your lip
That lip is has a trench in it
Where that wild weed sits
Sucking like a parasite
Of any sense you might have left
You say that you are happy
And you like stormy weather
Well I think that you're just dumb
And you don't know any better
You play your rock and roll guitar
You say you're gonna be a big star
But everyone in this neighborhood
Knows just who you are
No I ain't tryin' to be hard
I don't mean to be cruel
I'm just tryin' to say something that'll shock,
You into going back, to school
Or maybe at least reality
In this year
You wanted to be somebody
But you ain't nobody
You ain't got no body
You're just a head
Lyrics submitted by kennyd333
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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 is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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.