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.
Sometimes in my undivided mind I clutch an urge to sit and dwell
On all our lives choking on time as crime
Cocoon our space with fate as well
Black and white predation on the T.V. screens
Sing or hum through hatred these star spangled dreams
Aren't what they seem
When inside yourself you've labeled and shelfed all the contrite
Listless conditioned sums of your life
Sycophant don't be an ant just take a chance to ask yourself why
Swollen eyes so colorblind false paradigm has left you no time
To wonder why
Our present tense future evidence
That our footprints dusted off the road
Could common sense cure omnipotence hear nature gagged as we corrode
Black and white predation on the T.V. screens
Sing or hum through hatred these star spangled dreams
Aren't what they seem
When inside yourself you've labeled and shelved all the contrite
Listless conditioned sums of your life
Inside every irony is plagued with distractions of cold wilted smiles
Awaiting reactions... trust fate?
The meaning of life is not man made time
Tare open the seem where we need not define
This life
Sycophant don't be an ant just take a chance to ask yourself why
Swollen eyes so colorblind false paradigm has left you no time
To wonder why
On all our lives choking on time as crime
Cocoon our space with fate as well
Black and white predation on the T.V. screens
Sing or hum through hatred these star spangled dreams
Aren't what they seem
When inside yourself you've labeled and shelfed all the contrite
Listless conditioned sums of your life
Sycophant don't be an ant just take a chance to ask yourself why
Swollen eyes so colorblind false paradigm has left you no time
To wonder why
Our present tense future evidence
That our footprints dusted off the road
Could common sense cure omnipotence hear nature gagged as we corrode
Black and white predation on the T.V. screens
Sing or hum through hatred these star spangled dreams
Aren't what they seem
When inside yourself you've labeled and shelved all the contrite
Listless conditioned sums of your life
Inside every irony is plagued with distractions of cold wilted smiles
Awaiting reactions... trust fate?
The meaning of life is not man made time
Tare open the seem where we need not define
This life
Sycophant don't be an ant just take a chance to ask yourself why
Swollen eyes so colorblind false paradigm has left you no time
To wonder why
Lyrics submitted by drunktomato
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