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.
If you want to be free then I want you to be
You're not mine anymore, you're public property
You're a slave to these people who don't even know you
You think they adore you, they do
Then they throw you away
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star
You can shine all alone but you still need your friends
To remind you you're nothing unless you're plugged in
Because baby the truth is you need their approval
They tell you you're cool hey but look how you pay for it
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star x 3
Oh, is that what you are?
There must be thousands of you
So your time is in crumbs now
Your image is dumbed down
You're full of it now
What about when it runs out?
'Cos maybe you'll come back
And maybe I'll be here
You're already gone so just go
Cos they're waiting for you
Yeah, you
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Oh, is that what you are?
You're not mine anymore, you're public property
You're a slave to these people who don't even know you
You think they adore you, they do
Then they throw you away
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star
You can shine all alone but you still need your friends
To remind you you're nothing unless you're plugged in
Because baby the truth is you need their approval
They tell you you're cool hey but look how you pay for it
Give the people what they want
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Rock star x 3
Oh, is that what you are?
There must be thousands of you
So your time is in crumbs now
Your image is dumbed down
You're full of it now
What about when it runs out?
'Cos maybe you'll come back
And maybe I'll be here
You're already gone so just go
Cos they're waiting for you
Yeah, you
You've got to give the people what they want
Got to give the people what they want
Oh, is that what you are?
Lyrics submitted by gyroscope
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This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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Great version of a great song,
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i think this song is about loving someone who has a sort of sudden image change and takes on a kind of "rock star" persona, trying to impress everyone. but in the end, the same people this person is trying to please reject her, and she is burnt out.
you may be correct emobangs but to me its just about real life rockstars. it's sooo true what he says. .cuz it really is the people and fans that make them cool and awesome rockstars so give the people what they want. it might be even a little bit of a joke in a way cuz maybe this is how he feels about himself. .that unfortunately he's public property and so on.
it's about a waitress.
"you've got to give the people what they want"
it's true, i swears...
um...i think this song is about being a rockstar. just a guess.
I actually read that this song IS about a waiter/waitress. (I thought I remember seeing waiter). Anyway, if it is, it's really cool how being a waiter is similar to being a rockstar. You have to give the people what they want. The money's a little different I guess, but hey...
i think song is about a waiter but also be yourself and not giving into the public/media
i now see how it could be about a waiter/waitress.... but i still like thinking about it as him singing about being a rock star. I think that interpretation works well also.