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.
Jump down the shelters to get away
The boys are cockin' up their guns
Tell us general, is it party time?
If it is can we all come
Don't think that we don't know
Don't think that we're not trying
Don't think we move too slow
It's no use after crying
Saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
After the laughter as died away
And all the boys have had their fun
No surface noise now, not much to say
They've got the bad guys on the run
Don't try to say you're sorry
Don't say he drew his gun
They've gone and grabbed old Ronnie
He's not the only one saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
Tell us commander, what do you think?
Cause we know that you love all that power
Is it on then, are we on the brink?
We wish you'd all throw in the towel
We'll not fade out too soon
Not in this finest hour
Whistle your favorite tune
We'll send a card and flower
Saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
The boys are cockin' up their guns
Tell us general, is it party time?
If it is can we all come
Don't think that we don't know
Don't think that we're not trying
Don't think we move too slow
It's no use after crying
Saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
After the laughter as died away
And all the boys have had their fun
No surface noise now, not much to say
They've got the bad guys on the run
Don't try to say you're sorry
Don't say he drew his gun
They've gone and grabbed old Ronnie
He's not the only one saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
Tell us commander, what do you think?
Cause we know that you love all that power
Is it on then, are we on the brink?
We wish you'd all throw in the towel
We'll not fade out too soon
Not in this finest hour
Whistle your favorite tune
We'll send a card and flower
Saying
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
It's a mistake, it's a mistake
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
It's a Mistake Lyrics as written by Colin James Hay
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The song is NOT about Vietnam. It is about the end of the fucking world because of the risk of nuclear war. (Dont take my word for it, see what Colin Hay says about it himself)
The 80's we a decade when we were all pretty much sure the world was going to end in a nuclear holocaust. My 20's coincided with the decade of the 80's and we were all certain it would happen, but there were many different feelings about it. Resignation, fear, a feeling we "deserved it", anger etc.
Many bands of that time wrote songs about it of course.
I remember the cover of the 45. Had generals with their backs to each other, grinning at the "buyer." Oh yeah, each general had his finger poised at their respective big, red button.
@thecrossbone I am 16, but I really like the 80's. To me they seemed like a very very fun and exciting time (minus the cold war part of it) Did it seem like a fun time because everyone wanted to make the most out of the end of their life? Since you actually know would you tell me?
+1 to Cold War and nuclear threat. For those that lived the 80's it's obvious. For the Gen-Y crowd+ it would be a history book lesson.
Nuclear Armageddon.
I did this posting for "red skies at night", since there was confusion about this one too.
From a guy who lived when this came out I can assure you it was about nuclear war, as many of the 80's tunes were. In the 70's elementary schools we trained frequently for bombing, using the duck and cover under our desks. I remember a bunch of curches were marked as fallout shelters, with supplies in the basement. The 80's got better, but it was still cold war time. We were conditioned the USSR could/would bomb us at any time. We feared them and they probably feared us. I finally realize the people of the USSR just want the same things as us. They have families, lives and jobs too. Maybe things were on the verge back then, but the world is much more connected now. I always wanted to ask a Russian if they we brought up the same way, with fear of nuclear war, but I have never met one.
This song, much like men at work's "it's a mistake" is based on never knowing who will push the launch button or launch missles by mistake and prompt the two super powers at the time to annihilate eachother.
Your comment about the Russians is reflected in Sting's 1985 song "Russians" where he says "What might save us/me and you/is if the Russians love their children too"
Treasure Island-Las Vegas, the pool area. This beauty of a lady asked me to come to her room to vacuum it. I realize now that she didn't need her rug vacuumed.
I guess she needed her rug muched instead
Try watching the movie Gallipoli, then read/listen to the lyrics. The Auzzies have a cultural memory...
cool song.
I can see this both ways, to be honest -the remorse of an individual soldier who has accidentally commited an attrocity, and also as the reflections on a nuclear war that wasn't meant to be -such as the one avoided by a brave Russian soldier whose name I just can't remember -who thought that the computer was in error when it told him there was a nuclear attack. The fact that it can be read both ways just makes it more poigneit.
@Red October The Russian who may have saved us all from nuclear annihilation was Vasili Archipov. Here is his story: trtworld.com/magazine/how-a-russian-soldier-prevented-world-war-iii-59-years-ago-51120
@Red October The Russian who may have saved us all from nuclear annihilation was Vasili Archipov. Here is his story: trtworld.com/magazine/how-a-russian-soldier-prevented-world-war-iii-59-years-ago-51120
No, it isn't about Vietnam (although it is about war). PaliSteve is right, it's about nuclear war. This was written during a long cold war where everyone was afraid someone would accidently "press the button" and trigger "mutually assured destruction". It was during the time of the movie 'War Games'. I imagine even Austrailians were worried about it.
Jump down the [fallout] shelters... No surface noise now [everything is dead]... we know that you love all that power... It's a mistake [oops I thought you attacked so I pressed the button]...
It all refers to nuclear holocaust.
MickMusic is the closest. Given the era when this song was released (1983) Ronnie (Ronald Regan) was President and challenging the Soviet Union making many think he would bring us to war.
Seeing the video, I always thought it was about the Battle of Gallipol. The lyrics themselves seem to suggest survivors at the end of it - not the end of the world.
But I guess if Colin Hay says its about nuclear war, then it must be.