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.
Yo, do you feel clever?
No, forget what everyone else has to say
Do you feel clever?
Subliminally, subliminal
Subliminally, subliminal
Subliminally
It's like, I live in whatever like is
Always raining, similar, never the same
See the game don't play that, so I speak maybes and if onlys
Instead of I ams and fallen memories
All that don't feel to good to be
But my genealogy registers adaptability and that bitch
Feels like it's fixed
'Cause my great grandmother spoke of this exact same thing
I use rhyme but I think she used to sing
Or just bring her force to a circle of women
And they be aligning chakrias and meditating
Bad vibe vaccinating, evil energy eliminating
As well as debating on how to raise the children and love the men
But today we're more caught up in Ricki Lakes and Jerry Springer
Becoming Numb, now that's the title of my narrative base, novel of fiction
But still my fascination is loyal to how we manage to stay, we, human
A once civilized nation, or so they told me, yo
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to be
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to be
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
You see, breast was a blessing so I owe no shit
Obligation is a choice, but this choice I select
Who to share my love with, love me and be in
'Cause I believe that I am leaving with most are submerged in
It's a messed up situation
So stay stationed is the advice that I leave
To those who can't come to those you won't proceed
You can stay right here
And if you ever pass go, do not collect 200, I repeat do not collect
So I'm this disputing being openly happy
When it serves so well to be depressed
Any attempt of smiling needs impeccable timing
Make the suit sweet by allowing them to feel
That they suited the situation to the masses, to the market
Keep them pushing Beemers
My friend I may not be able to deliver a Benz to you
But I can give you piece of mind
Piece of mine
Define ownership, now will your mothership take with it
What you purchased at your outlet
So my friend once again I'll just give you piece of mind
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
[Incomprehensible] yes, it's [Incomprehensible]
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
No, forget what everyone else has to say
Do you feel clever?
Subliminally, subliminal
Subliminally, subliminal
Subliminally
It's like, I live in whatever like is
Always raining, similar, never the same
See the game don't play that, so I speak maybes and if onlys
Instead of I ams and fallen memories
All that don't feel to good to be
But my genealogy registers adaptability and that bitch
Feels like it's fixed
'Cause my great grandmother spoke of this exact same thing
I use rhyme but I think she used to sing
Or just bring her force to a circle of women
And they be aligning chakrias and meditating
Bad vibe vaccinating, evil energy eliminating
As well as debating on how to raise the children and love the men
But today we're more caught up in Ricki Lakes and Jerry Springer
Becoming Numb, now that's the title of my narrative base, novel of fiction
But still my fascination is loyal to how we manage to stay, we, human
A once civilized nation, or so they told me, yo
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to be
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to be
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
You see, breast was a blessing so I owe no shit
Obligation is a choice, but this choice I select
Who to share my love with, love me and be in
'Cause I believe that I am leaving with most are submerged in
It's a messed up situation
So stay stationed is the advice that I leave
To those who can't come to those you won't proceed
You can stay right here
And if you ever pass go, do not collect 200, I repeat do not collect
So I'm this disputing being openly happy
When it serves so well to be depressed
Any attempt of smiling needs impeccable timing
Make the suit sweet by allowing them to feel
That they suited the situation to the masses, to the market
Keep them pushing Beemers
My friend I may not be able to deliver a Benz to you
But I can give you piece of mind
Piece of mine
Define ownership, now will your mothership take with it
What you purchased at your outlet
So my friend once again I'll just give you piece of mind
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
[Incomprehensible] yes, it's [Incomprehensible]
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
It's subliminal, subliminally
Just seeing how we fight to be
Instill it in your sight to see
It's subliminal, subliminally
Subliminal, subliminally
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