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.
What a scam, you see I'm living in a land
Where the present situation is getting out of hand
Racist brutality's an everyday reality
It doesn't take more than a different nationality
Or being in the wrong place at the wrong time
To get abused and accused of committing a crime
If it's a sign of the time then it's time to change your mind
And leave you fucking ignorance way behind
So face the facts 'cause that shit is played out
You haven't got the slightest clue what you're talking about
Because the problem is you and your racist buddies
Prejudice right wing small time nobodies
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
It's about true the real problem is you
Because you've made up you mind to hate them all except you
Say send them all back to where they're coming from
But it ain't that fun to be living on the run
You wouldn't want to have a gun blow the brains out your head
So try to understand the shit they're going through instead
Because a woman or a man with a different face colour
Is exactly the same as your own sister or brother
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So first we let them in and then you want to throw them out
Well I'd really like to know what all this shit is about
Is it you are you afraid of what's new
Are you afraid of everyone that doesn't look like you it's just a colour
And I'm colour blind
The only colour I know is the of my mind
There's only one race and that's the human race
And every human being's got the right to feel safe
So stop this insanity and take a look around
Get a hold of yourself and get your feet on the ground
Stop playing around this shit has got to cease
In the name of understanding in the name of peace
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
He only one that's coming with a threat is YOU
Where the present situation is getting out of hand
Racist brutality's an everyday reality
It doesn't take more than a different nationality
Or being in the wrong place at the wrong time
To get abused and accused of committing a crime
If it's a sign of the time then it's time to change your mind
And leave you fucking ignorance way behind
So face the facts 'cause that shit is played out
You haven't got the slightest clue what you're talking about
Because the problem is you and your racist buddies
Prejudice right wing small time nobodies
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
It's about true the real problem is you
Because you've made up you mind to hate them all except you
Say send them all back to where they're coming from
But it ain't that fun to be living on the run
You wouldn't want to have a gun blow the brains out your head
So try to understand the shit they're going through instead
Because a woman or a man with a different face colour
Is exactly the same as your own sister or brother
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So first we let them in and then you want to throw them out
Well I'd really like to know what all this shit is about
Is it you are you afraid of what's new
Are you afraid of everyone that doesn't look like you it's just a colour
And I'm colour blind
The only colour I know is the of my mind
There's only one race and that's the human race
And every human being's got the right to feel safe
So stop this insanity and take a look around
Get a hold of yourself and get your feet on the ground
Stop playing around this shit has got to cease
In the name of understanding in the name of peace
What are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
The only one that's coming with a threat is you
So what the fuck are you afraid of
What's you prejudice made of
What are you afraid of
He only one that's coming with a threat is YOU
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
What Are You Afraid Of Lyrics as written by Erlend Ottem Bard Sverre Torstensen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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