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'd hand it to time if I knew where the time had gone
the connoisseurs were wrong
and so was everyone else
I know what they're saying cuz that's all they talk about
just need to figure out
some shit for myself
and just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's even true
heard it all and I believe that we deserve another point of view
we can make it if we try
and if we don't it's gonna still be alright
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
make up your mind make up your own mythology
afraid of finding me
and of defining you
take what you want but you won't want it where your at
I know this for a fact
just because it's so true
the first place my mind goes is where I never want it to
like where it hurts the most or all the stupid shit I say and do
you can make it if you try
and if you don' it's gonna still be all right
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide why
telling me thousands of times what's next to want
just doing their job but you know that's a dirty job
can't stand this game still we're bullied to play along
when bullies grow up they get meaner
yeah they really get it down
they think that they get it but they always get it wrong
they'll play your favorite song
just to sell shit to you
I've heard that they'll sell anything and I think they might
I think Bill Hicks was right
about what they should do
and just because you love something doesn't mean it's yours to buy
been selling it so long that no one even knows the reason why
you've been messing with our minds
gettin' rich wasting our time
the connoisseurs were wrong
and so was everyone else
I know what they're saying cuz that's all they talk about
just need to figure out
some shit for myself
and just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's even true
heard it all and I believe that we deserve another point of view
we can make it if we try
and if we don't it's gonna still be alright
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide what's right
make up your mind make up your own mythology
afraid of finding me
and of defining you
take what you want but you won't want it where your at
I know this for a fact
just because it's so true
the first place my mind goes is where I never want it to
like where it hurts the most or all the stupid shit I say and do
you can make it if you try
and if you don' it's gonna still be all right
cuz our minds are still alive
and we can decide why
telling me thousands of times what's next to want
just doing their job but you know that's a dirty job
can't stand this game still we're bullied to play along
when bullies grow up they get meaner
yeah they really get it down
they think that they get it but they always get it wrong
they'll play your favorite song
just to sell shit to you
I've heard that they'll sell anything and I think they might
I think Bill Hicks was right
about what they should do
and just because you love something doesn't mean it's yours to buy
been selling it so long that no one even knows the reason why
you've been messing with our minds
gettin' rich wasting our time
Lyrics submitted by nbenmargi
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The Bill Hicks reference refers to his joke about people in marketing and advertising, and is from where the song title is derived:
"By the way if anyone here is in advertising or marketing... kill yourself.
No, no, no it's just a little thought. I'm just trying to plant seeds. Maybe one day, they'll take root - I don't know. You try, you do what you can. Kill yourself.
Seriously though, if you are, do.
Aaah, no really, there's no rationalization for what you do and you are Satan's little helpers. Okay - kill yourself - seriously. You are the ruiner of all things good, seriously. No this is not a joke, you're going, "there's going to be a joke coming," there's no fucking joke coming. You are Satan's spawn filling the world with bile and garbage. You are fucked and you are fucking us. Kill yourself. It's the only way to save your fucking soul, kill yourself. I know what all the marketing people are thinking right now too, "Oh, you know what Bill's doing, he's going for that anti-marketing dollar. That's a good market, he's very smart."
Oh man, I am not doing that. You fucking evil scumbags!"
Obviously, like any good comedy, works very well when delivered by the comedian, who has timing and such. I'm really stoked to see two of my favorite things merge into one. I love you Doug, I shoulda know Bill Hicks is one of your heroes!
youtube.com/watch
This is freaking awesome. I came here to check the lyrics because I thought he said "Bill Hicks," but wasn't sure. Now I get it; even the title of the song is a reference to Hicks' comedy bit about people in advertising and marketing. One of the greats! Sad to see him go, but glad he could live on in one of my favorite band's songs. <br /> <br /> Anyone who hasn't heard of Bill Hicks should go right now to amazon and order some of his DVDs or CDs, you will NOT be dissapointed. There just isn't much of that type of intellectual humor anymore (David Cross, Doug Stanhope, Patton Oswalt aside). Today's comedy scene is all about "git'er done" and all that other mediocre, comedy-as-a-product mentality. As is the case with music, movies, etc.
took me about half way through to get what was going on. i wasn't sure if you were being a prick, or if it was funny. in the end, i laughed too many times, so surely it's the latter.