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.
There was bread
Now it's crumbs
Inside each head
There's a piece that's small and dumb
When something's big and beautiful, give it time
I'll make it small and dirty
Just to make it mine
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
There were pools
Now they're murky
Gold dust in mud and
Now all our play is work
Aggression is on every lip like stones on violins
Losing is the end result
Of far too many wins
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
It's bulldozing time
While you're asleep
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
Turn the wheel and breathe the blackened sky
Hollow out and suck the marrow dry
Now it's gone
Hey, them there hills
Will soon be holes
I will wear them down with files of gain, and greed, and goals
Under grass, and rocks, and dirt
It's warm inside the Earth
That is where I'm going
I'm gonna pack it in my purse
And make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
It's bulldozing time
While you're asleep
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
Turn the wheel
Turn the wheel
Breathe the blackened sky
Turn the wheel
Turn it
Turn the wheel
Now it's crumbs
Inside each head
There's a piece that's small and dumb
When something's big and beautiful, give it time
I'll make it small and dirty
Just to make it mine
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
There were pools
Now they're murky
Gold dust in mud and
Now all our play is work
Aggression is on every lip like stones on violins
Losing is the end result
Of far too many wins
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
It's bulldozing time
While you're asleep
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
Turn the wheel and breathe the blackened sky
Hollow out and suck the marrow dry
Now it's gone
Hey, them there hills
Will soon be holes
I will wear them down with files of gain, and greed, and goals
Under grass, and rocks, and dirt
It's warm inside the Earth
That is where I'm going
I'm gonna pack it in my purse
And make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
It's bulldozing time
While you're asleep
I'll make it mine
I'll be king of the heap
Turn the wheel
Turn the wheel
Breathe the blackened sky
Turn the wheel
Turn it
Turn the wheel
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
King of the Heap Lyrics as written by Doug Elliott Craig William Andrew Northey
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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