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.
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
I know that I messed up a few times or watcha wanna call it
I know if I fell down, you'd change the way that I saw it
I put it on the line for this time only
(Is that what you really want?)
I can't see that I got red hands, I'm colorblind singing (day-oh)
Don't put the blame on me, child, the damn thing gone wild (day-oh)
Never wanted to be fooling you, can't believe I was wounding you-oo
(Is that what you really want?)
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
The fire burns, I'm not the one with the match, man
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
I've seen it all before, you back out, and everything's changing
I needed something more, you stepped down, so what are you chasing?
I put it on rewind for this time only
(Is that what you really want?)
I realize that I got red hands, I wanna change this (day-oh)
Don't ask me why I choose to lie, I stay blind, oh (day-oh)
It's clear to me that you are human too, your accusations are burning through-oo
(Is that what you really want?)
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
The fire burns, I'm not the one with the match, man
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
I know that I messed up a few times or watcha wanna call it
I know if I fell down, you'd change the way that I saw it
I put it on the line for this time only
(Is that what you really want?)
I can't see that I got red hands, I'm colorblind singing (day-oh)
Don't put the blame on me, child, the damn thing gone wild (day-oh)
Never wanted to be fooling you, can't believe I was wounding you-oo
(Is that what you really want?)
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
The fire burns, I'm not the one with the match, man
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
I've seen it all before, you back out, and everything's changing
I needed something more, you stepped down, so what are you chasing?
I put it on rewind for this time only
(Is that what you really want?)
I realize that I got red hands, I wanna change this (day-oh)
Don't ask me why I choose to lie, I stay blind, oh (day-oh)
It's clear to me that you are human too, your accusations are burning through-oo
(Is that what you really want?)
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
The fire burns, I'm not the one with the match, man
That gun is loaded, but it's not in my hand
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
Oh yeah, oh yeah-ah, that gun is loaded
Lyrics submitted by eastjesusshenanigan418
Red Hands Lyrics as written by Ryan Marshall Gianni Luminati
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I saw this about being about a guy that's cheating and feeling guilty. He's questioning whether he really wants to hurt his girlfriend/wife by cheating on her.
At the same time he's shifting the blame. Every time he acknowledges his guilt, he's either dismissive ("or watcha wanna call it"), or blames someone/something else.("Don't put the blame on me, child, the damn thing gone wild") it's not his fault, it's instinct/out of his control. ("I've seen it all before, you back out, and everything's changing I needed something more, you stepped down, so what are you chasing?") it's not his fault, she's pulling away/looking at someone else/not the same person.
The match and the gun, both more of the same. He's not the one that started this, he's not the cause of their relationship dying/him cheating.