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.
Don't touch it yet it's hot
Your fingertips will fall off
The kitchen's burning while I'm scraping the pots
Come on now eat your food
Cartridges fried and stewed
This table has become a combat zone
Sit down please be calm
Let's load our weapons now
This is a civil war
Oh please pass me the salt
I need some salt salt
But you go on insult-insulting me
Feed the kids with what we've got
Chicken bones and porridge in a cup
They eat while I fall asleep with an open mouth
Yet no inspiration
Bread will do for ammunition
The fork and knife will be just fine
Grab anything let's start a fight
What do we know about war
What did we do before
Things we for certain don't remeber anymore
Oh please pass me the salt
I need some salt salt
But you go on insult-insulting me
Licking for some salt
I'm taking from whoever cups his hand
Looking for some shelter
looking for a better sweeter land
Do you know what it takes
Have you really passed the test
I think you could do it
If you really wanted to
Your fingertips will fall off
The kitchen's burning while I'm scraping the pots
Come on now eat your food
Cartridges fried and stewed
This table has become a combat zone
Sit down please be calm
Let's load our weapons now
This is a civil war
Oh please pass me the salt
I need some salt salt
But you go on insult-insulting me
Feed the kids with what we've got
Chicken bones and porridge in a cup
They eat while I fall asleep with an open mouth
Yet no inspiration
Bread will do for ammunition
The fork and knife will be just fine
Grab anything let's start a fight
What do we know about war
What did we do before
Things we for certain don't remeber anymore
Oh please pass me the salt
I need some salt salt
But you go on insult-insulting me
Licking for some salt
I'm taking from whoever cups his hand
Looking for some shelter
looking for a better sweeter land
Do you know what it takes
Have you really passed the test
I think you could do it
If you really wanted to
Lyrics submitted by ImAvampire
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Light Up The Sky
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Yo La Tengo
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Page
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