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.
[Verse 1]
Fair-haired lady and the suicide king
Kill the brother of the one-eyed jack
Two sides of shady as the angels sing
That the jack ain't coming back
Double-down hide as the preacher folds
And he sweats right out of his clothes
Aces higher than the suicide king
With a pair right under his nose
[Verse 2]
Deadpan poker face where you lie
Now the angels sing the same
Hey, man, choker taste where you die
Carving out your given name
Drive a spade right through your heart
Or a chance just being alive
Is it murder? Right? Hatred? Art?
Is it real? Is it all contrived?
God help you
[Pre-Chorus 1]
All bets are taken
This table is closed
While, outside, they're shakin'
Him out of his clothes
[Pre-Chorus 2]
It's a disgrace
[Chorus]
Get down on the dead
They've been takin' over the graveyards
You gotta play the ace
Get down on your head
It's been overriding the good cards
Gotta play the ace
[Verse 3]
Green-eyed monster got the twinkle right
Got the evil in his eye
One sick as a dog looks a little tight
He can't breathe; he gonna die
As you pound your fist in anger
Words sharper than a blade
But the green-eyed monster
Is a sure motherfucker
As he plays it out in spades
God help him
[Pre-Chorus 1]
All bets are taken
This table is closed
While, outside, they're shakin'
Him out of his clothes
[Pre-Chorus 2]
It's a mistake
[Chorus]
Blame it on the dead
They've been takin' over the graveyards
Play the ace
Blame it on your head
It's been overriding the good card
Play the ace
[Bridge 1]
See it, raise it, call it, show
In a sinner's room of liars
In the all-time, hell-bound race
With the devil, he's on fire
As the band played on the ace
Play the ace
[Bridge 2]
See it, raise it, call it, show
The dead sit lifeless
In the chair they chose
It's a national disgrace
The green-eyed monster
Got a real bad dose
As the band plays on the ace
Play the ace
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Fair-haired lady and the suicide king
Kill the brother of the one-eyed jack
Two sides of shady as the angels sing
That the jack ain't coming back
Double-down hide as the preacher folds
And he sweats right out of his clothes
Aces higher than the suicide king
With a pair right under his nose
[Verse 2]
Deadpan poker face where you lie
Now the angels sing the same
Hey, man, choker taste where you die
Carving out your given name
Drive a spade right through your heart
Or a chance just being alive
Is it murder? Right? Hatred? Art?
Is it real? Is it all contrived?
God help you
[Pre-Chorus 1]
All bets are taken
This table is closed
While, outside, they're shakin'
Him out of his clothes
[Pre-Chorus 2]
It's a disgrace
[Chorus]
Get down on the dead
They've been takin' over the graveyards
You gotta play the ace
Get down on your head
It's been overriding the good cards
Gotta play the ace
[Verse 3]
Green-eyed monster got the twinkle right
Got the evil in his eye
One sick as a dog looks a little tight
He can't breathe; he gonna die
As you pound your fist in anger
Words sharper than a blade
But the green-eyed monster
Is a sure motherfucker
As he plays it out in spades
God help him
[Pre-Chorus 1]
All bets are taken
This table is closed
While, outside, they're shakin'
Him out of his clothes
[Pre-Chorus 2]
It's a mistake
[Chorus]
Blame it on the dead
They've been takin' over the graveyards
Play the ace
Blame it on your head
It's been overriding the good card
Play the ace
[Bridge 1]
See it, raise it, call it, show
In a sinner's room of liars
In the all-time, hell-bound race
With the devil, he's on fire
As the band played on the ace
Play the ace
[Bridge 2]
See it, raise it, call it, show
The dead sit lifeless
In the chair they chose
It's a national disgrace
The green-eyed monster
Got a real bad dose
As the band plays on the ace
Play the ace
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Play the ace
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Kingofstilport
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