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.
My country, 'tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see my future within your arms
Your love it turns me down
Into the underground
My country bleeding me; I will not stay in your arms
Not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet (daoe)
Not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
At the Salvation army making us all stand in a line
While mommy and daddy make up and try to make up their minds
Oh the shame I felt when those histories mention my name
If only I could forget, but memory's my favorite thing (?)
We cannot have it
Well, what am I supposed to say to those others
'So sorry, but you only took half a chance
Now it's over and they're walkin' all over you'
We cannot have it
Well then why is there juice dripping under your chin
When they have nothing, why do you have something
When they have nothing
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
I got me, you've got you
That's one plus one plus two
I never told you what to do
And then you put me in some box
I've got you, you've got me
Like a baby's got (?)
I told myself I'd have to check islands
If I was gonna get over your shit
We cannot have it
Well then what do you want me to say to those others
Oh yes, there's a place for you
But that place is underneath the cushion of my behind
We cannot have it
Well then why did you say so
With my eyes open, how can I be happy
With my eyes open
If nothing of this is ours,
How will I ever know when something's mine
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see it
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty, yeah
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see a future within your arms
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see my future within your arms
Your love it turns me down
Into the underground
My country bleeding me; I will not stay in your arms
Not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet (daoe)
Not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
No, not yet, yet
No, not yet, yet, yet
At the Salvation army making us all stand in a line
While mommy and daddy make up and try to make up their minds
Oh the shame I felt when those histories mention my name
If only I could forget, but memory's my favorite thing (?)
We cannot have it
Well, what am I supposed to say to those others
'So sorry, but you only took half a chance
Now it's over and they're walkin' all over you'
We cannot have it
Well then why is there juice dripping under your chin
When they have nothing, why do you have something
When they have nothing
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
I got me, you've got you
That's one plus one plus two
I never told you what to do
And then you put me in some box
I've got you, you've got me
Like a baby's got (?)
I told myself I'd have to check islands
If I was gonna get over your shit
We cannot have it
Well then what do you want me to say to those others
Oh yes, there's a place for you
But that place is underneath the cushion of my behind
We cannot have it
Well then why did you say so
With my eyes open, how can I be happy
With my eyes open
If nothing of this is ours,
How will I ever know when something's mine
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see it
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty, yeah
My country, tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty
How come I cannot see a future within your arms
The worst thing about living a lie
Is just wondering when they'll find out
Lyrics submitted by j0nnynoname, edited by cruithne, bandgeek117
My Country Lyrics as written by Merrill Martin Garbus
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think this song is about relationships between minorities and those in power. It could be Native Americans, hispanic immigrants in the US or Americans made poor from the financial crisis.
Garbus is writing from the perspective of a person from a minority. The song has a lot of anger in it, and I think she is ashamed of the way her country treats its minorities.
But this interpretation is not complete, if it's even right.
Economic inequality in the US, not just from the perspective of minorities, but from the stance of an average american citizen; the wealthiest 1% of the country controls 43% of the $$$, while the least wealth 80% of the country only holds 4% of the wealth.
In one of the opening shots of the music video for this song, a child stands in trickling water... The US economic system is supposedly meant to work as a "trickle down" system, but it's really corrupt, and the extremely poor have nearly no safety net or hope of ascending to the middle class no matter how hard they work.
"At the salvation amy making us all stand in a line" shows how many people are waiting for the help they need. "We cannot have it; Well then why is there juice dripping under your chin; When they have nothing, why do you have something" represents the greed of the extremely wealthy that refuse to spread the wealth. "Sweet land of liberty why can I not see it" Why is the US still referred to as land of the free, when it has become one of the LEAST equal developed countries? "How come I cannot see my future within your arms" Maybe she plans to become an expat, relocating permanently to a land with more humanitarian values.
I swear I hear "future in neons" haha.
Abortion It's very clear. She also states in plenty of interviews that she absolutely loves children.
It is also a commentary on american life right now though, the whole album is very anti abortion though "WHO KILL" AS IN who did you kill? Which is also a play off the statement its not killing because the babies not alive on its own yet. Has not developed a full working nervous system. <br /> <br /> Just look how this plays into es-so which is so blatantly about abortion you have to be stupid not to see it.
'Who Kill' is a more ambiguous form of the album's original title, 'Woman Who Kill', referencing a famous book on former female domestic abuse victims who killed their husbands. In general, the album feels more like an exploration of womanhood and what that means, particularly the aspects that are generally rejected as "unfeminine". That's why we end with "Killa", a song about a "new kind of woman, a new kind of woman, a don't-take-shit-from-you kind of woman", a conclusive call to arms against the female stereotypes and sexist prejudices that still permeate our society. <br /> <br /> The idea that Merrill, who is a feminist, would be advocating for an agenda that essentially limits women's rights strikes me as false. Especially in a song criticizing the inherent hypocrisies of American democracy.
Hold one what? It's quite obviously about the hypocrisy of American Democracy and how unequal everyone is. That's why she's saying "sweet land of liberty" is a lie. The ideas people get in there head...
You listened to one song and heard what you needed to hear. It's unfortunate because the rest of the album is phenomenal. I'd love to see these "plenty of interviews", by the way. It's more likely you are a religious nut painting reality as you wish it to be.
Nah, I definitely didn't get an anti-abortion vibe from this song. And es-so didn't sound like that either... In my opinion, this song is centered around the current political climate in the USA, and es-so seems to be about eating disorders. Of course, I could be wrong, but that's what I got out of it.
The most sexist man who uses women for sex and companionship; judges them by their looks; and needs them to make him feel like a man is talking about feminism like he's some kind of hero to women. Screw him. He's a fake and a liar.
Thing (?) = game
Thing (?) = game
but memory's my favorite dame(?)
Some corrections (as best as I hear it from live performances and such):
"...if only I could forget but memory's my favourite game."
"I've got you, you've got me, like a baby's got a bumblebee, I told myself I'd have to jump high if I was gonna get over your shit."
"Oh yes there's a place for you but that place is underneath a cushion of my mind."
I'm pretty sure she's to some extent arguing over her social-economic status. She keeps repeating "We cannot all have it" (Says it in the real lyrics) like someone is argueing that not everyone can be wealthy, where right after she responds with a counter arguement. I seriously don't understand some of the top verses. But things like, "we cannot all have it. Then why is there juice dripping under your chine" could maybe criticize wealthy people wasting riches. "We cannot all have it. Then why did you say so" seems to reflect that this the "sweet land of liberty" so why isnt that true kind of remark. Then there are ones like, how does this seem logical to those who are less fortunate "...well what am i suppose to say to those others...".