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.
[Thurston]
Another can of worms
another stomach turns
yeah your ghetto burns
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
you got a stupid man
you got a ku klux klan
your fucking battleplan
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
a sieg heil-in' squirt
you're an impotent jerk
yeah a fascist twerp
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
black robe and swill
i believe Anita Hill
judge will rot in hell
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
yeah a cross on fire
by a christian liar
a black attack at fire
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
yeah the president sucks
he's a war pig fuck
his shit is out of luck
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
another nazi attack
skinhead is cracked
my blood is black
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
we're banging pots and pans
to make you understand
we gotta bury you man
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
i'm a human wreck
redneck in check
i killed the teacher's pet
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
Another can of worms
another stomach turns
yeah your ghetto burns
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
you got a stupid man
you got a ku klux klan
your fucking battleplan
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
a sieg heil-in' squirt
you're an impotent jerk
yeah a fascist twerp
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
black robe and swill
i believe Anita Hill
judge will rot in hell
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
yeah a cross on fire
by a christian liar
a black attack at fire
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
yeah the president sucks
he's a war pig fuck
his shit is out of luck
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
another nazi attack
skinhead is cracked
my blood is black
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
we're banging pots and pans
to make you understand
we gotta bury you man
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
i'm a human wreck
redneck in check
i killed the teacher's pet
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
it's the song i hate
Lyrics submitted by shut
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Pretty easy to understand-They are anti-hate.
@MezDispenser Uh, well, no…certain TYPES of hate, sure, but Thurston sounds pretty full of hate for those who choose to hate for superficial reasons. <br /> <br /> Now, those who choose to hate other races, peoples, etc, they seem worthy of our hatred lol. <br /> <br /> Maybe it’s not hatred. Maybe it’s DISGUST?!? <br /> <br /> ‘Cept he caps off each verse with an admission that he “hates”…
i think its having a go at some political bands. i know sonic youth are politically outspoken, but their songs are subtle with their messages. i think they are having a go at the bands who dont know anything about politics but bombard their audience with blatant and cliched political songs.
"yeah the president sucks he's a war pig fuck his shit is out of luck it's the song i hate"
i reckon that says it all - thurston sings all the standard cliches in tongue and cheek, and then says that hearing those type of songs make him hate the song itself, not the president etc.
@atthedrive-in No.
Yeah, that's what I've always thought too, atthedrive-in (cool name by the way). But it is a little confusing. After all, as far as I'm aware, the band believe all these things anyway, and rightly so.
"It's the song I hate"
Does it mean that the song of hate is the song that they hate? Or does it mean that it's the music of faux punk bands that they hate? (Basically saying 'I agree with your ideas, but it's your music that I hate.) Or is there another explanation?
Not knowing the answer is bothering me.
please tell me you know who at the drive-in is? please oh please. sonic youth new stuff in june 06. got to love em
atthedrive-in, I agree with you on that, but I thought of the lyrics being about someone (I always interpreted it as people who were listening to the songs - the 'Youth' in 'Youth Against Fascism', but that's just me) who hears all these songs with very overt messages, and agrees with the sentiment of the song. The problem, though, is that 'it's the song I hate' - it's not the ideas, it's shitty music.
Also, Ian Mackaye's guitar part on this song is pretty awesome.
@snakemistakes No, sonic YOUTH are the “Youth” that is against fascism.
I think it's "infant jerk" not "impotent jerk"
@scrimshaw which word do you think would piss “them” off more, though? Cuz these idiots truly<br /> Believe they are “men” or “adults”, they can just write<br /> Off the “infant” insult as just name-calling because, as you can see, “I am all grown up” (and he may actually BELIEVE that’s all you need to do to become an adult. Just”grow”. <br /> <br /> But, calling them a bunch of limp dick homophobes who just MIGHT BE QUEER (it is Implied - by their own brain) ?!? now I can see THAT getting under some serious redneck/shitkicker skins.
@snakemistakes No, sonic YOUTH are the “Youth” that is against fascism…<br /> <br /> Anyway, it’s DEFINITELY “Impotent”…
I agree with atthedrive-in - funny thing is that Ian MacKaye plays on this song, and his bands are what you can actually call politics bands
Thurston actually didn't want to put this song on the record because he didn't like it. The rest of the band insisted, so that's why it's the "song I hate".
fuzzyslippers, I hate to burst your bubble, but Dirty came out in the early 90s. I pretty much agree with atthedrive-in, myself. His delivery is both tongue-in-cheek and earnest at the same time.