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.
Aping my soul
You stole my overture
Trapped in God's program
Oh I can't escape
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we?
who are we?
where are we?
why, why, why?
I can't forgive you
and I can't forget
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we in here?
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we in here?
You stole my overture
Trapped in God's program
Oh I can't escape
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we?
who are we?
where are we?
why, why, why?
I can't forgive you
and I can't forget
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we in here?
who are we?
where are we?
when are we?
why are we in here?
Lyrics submitted by hallowedbe666, edited by Mellow_Harsher, Trumpet15
Exogenesis : Symphony Part I (Overture) Lyrics as written by Matthew Bellamy
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I know that there is a general consensus about the meaning of this 3 part song but I have another angle that could be looked at. I just got out of a 5 year relationship and I think the lyrics do apply to a loving relationship that has gone sour.
The first part is talking about the face that he is in so much pain and that his significant other has really taken the life out of him. He is telling us that he is stuck Gods program and that God has a plan for him that he just cannot escape no matter how much he tries.
The next part where he is asking who are we and where are we is him questioning who they have become as a couple. Things started out so well and he cannot believe things have gotten this bad. He has seen his love transform into something he cannot recognize anymore.
The next part of the song is incredibly powerful. It gives me goose bumps everytime I listen to it. He cannot forget the past and he cannot forgive his lover for hurting him and transforming their love into something he doesn't have the strength to pursue.
That's my interpretation. I might be feeling sorry for myself but there might be a connection here. Please comment and tell me your thoughts. I love this song and I love Muse!
Anton, I can't argue with you, nor can I say that's my interpretation. I think that's what makes Muse so amazing, is that without too much extremity, you can take a lot of different interpretations from it. If you look at the comments for Cross Pollination, many think that Muse has created a fictional world, etc. I believe this rock symphony is prophetic in nature, predicting the inevitable destruction of a human habitable earth, and the coming to terms that whatever distant humanity will have to come to. <br /> <br /> But, as you mentioned, there are extreme similarities between how you'd act in face of a relationship dying and your planet dying. You try to save it in the end, but in the realization that it cannot be saved, you look to find something else to salvage your own existence.<br /> <br /> I've never been a "This is my favorite band" before, until I found Muse.
pdkuhm,<br /> <br /> I totally agree with you. This song, along with many other Muse songs, have multiple interpretations just as any painting would have. That is definitely the beauty of Muse! If this song was a stand-alone song, I think my interpretation would be hard to argue with, but since it is a 3 part song, with a bigger meaning and a connection between the other 2 parts, I think that my interpretation isn't valid. But hey, its my interpretation and it can be whatever I want it to be, right? I hope their idea was to put this out there to see the response, and then create a full album with songs like this. That would be amazing!