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.
You know life
Is all about expression
You only live once, and you're not coming back
So express yourself, yeah
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Now Joe wanna be like Bob
Bob got it goin' on with no job
And everything Rob got he got from Robin
And everything she got she got ho-hoppin'
My girl Jilly wanna be like Jackie
Fat rope chains and I think that's wacky
Tom and Dick wanna be like Harry
Little do they know he's bitin' off Barry
Stan was a scam, but Vinnie's legit
Mercedes coupe hometroop with no kit
A businessman with a beeper for a reason
Not like Tim because it's in this season
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Hey Pep, you up next
Yes, I'm Pep and there ain't nobody
Like my body, yes, I'm somebody
No, I'm sorry, I'm-a rock this Mardis Gras
Until the party ends, friends
Yes, I'm blessed, and I know who I am
I express myself on every jam
I'm not a man, but I'm in command
Hot damn, I got an all-girl band
And I wear the gear, yeah, I want to wear it, too
I don't care, dear, go ahead and stare (ooh)
Afraid to be you, livin' in fear boo
Expression is rare, I dare you
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Yo, excuse us while we rap
Go ahead, girls, express yourself!
My party, your party, anytime drop in
Cold hip-hop is always rockin'
Don't you like it when the music drop
Jump, spread out, and stop?
Now bring in the go-go (uh-oh)
Look at how my butt go rock from left to the right
You wanna step to me, groove me
I know you wanna do me
Come on now, fellas, don't fight
At my door they're bum-rushin', they hear the percussion
Sound of my go-go band
I've long ago learned my
Lesson it's all about expression with the real
Salt and Pepa please stand, and
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself and let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
And come on and work that body
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Is all about expression
You only live once, and you're not coming back
So express yourself, yeah
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Now Joe wanna be like Bob
Bob got it goin' on with no job
And everything Rob got he got from Robin
And everything she got she got ho-hoppin'
My girl Jilly wanna be like Jackie
Fat rope chains and I think that's wacky
Tom and Dick wanna be like Harry
Little do they know he's bitin' off Barry
Stan was a scam, but Vinnie's legit
Mercedes coupe hometroop with no kit
A businessman with a beeper for a reason
Not like Tim because it's in this season
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Hey Pep, you up next
Yes, I'm Pep and there ain't nobody
Like my body, yes, I'm somebody
No, I'm sorry, I'm-a rock this Mardis Gras
Until the party ends, friends
Yes, I'm blessed, and I know who I am
I express myself on every jam
I'm not a man, but I'm in command
Hot damn, I got an all-girl band
And I wear the gear, yeah, I want to wear it, too
I don't care, dear, go ahead and stare (ooh)
Afraid to be you, livin' in fear boo
Expression is rare, I dare you
Express yourself
You gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself
And let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what I cannot do, baby
Come on and work your body
Yo, excuse us while we rap
Go ahead, girls, express yourself!
My party, your party, anytime drop in
Cold hip-hop is always rockin'
Don't you like it when the music drop
Jump, spread out, and stop?
Now bring in the go-go (uh-oh)
Look at how my butt go rock from left to the right
You wanna step to me, groove me
I know you wanna do me
Come on now, fellas, don't fight
At my door they're bum-rushin', they hear the percussion
Sound of my go-go band
I've long ago learned my
Lesson it's all about expression with the real
Salt and Pepa please stand, and
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself and let me be me
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
And come on and work that body
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
You've got to be you, babe
Express yourself
Don't tell me what to do, babe
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Express yourself
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Expression Lyrics as written by Cheryl "salt" James
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.