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.
God is dead and so's the sexual revolution
The church and the family are dying institutions
The schools are filled with prayer for a failing constitution
And the penalty for silence is a moment of electrocution
You can tell me about the death of the farming family
Because I don't care about some stupid old crop
You can tell me about the death of the steel industry
But please don't tell me about the death of pop
Wear clean clothes and tie up all your laces
Eat to win but cover all your bases
You can bet that the tears will be stolen from their faces
When the talking head says the body contained traces
You can tell me about the death of the middle class
Everybody knows there's nothing between the bottom and the top
You can tell me about the death of Mama Cass
But please don't tell me about the death of pop
Death in Venice, death on the Nile
Death with dignity, death with a smile
Death of innocence, death of a salesman
Death in the afternoon, death of the whales, man
You can tell me about the death of the radical left
You can't call a coalition when you really need a cop
And I'm much to chic to be bereft
So please don't tell me about the death of pop
The church and the family are dying institutions
The schools are filled with prayer for a failing constitution
And the penalty for silence is a moment of electrocution
You can tell me about the death of the farming family
Because I don't care about some stupid old crop
You can tell me about the death of the steel industry
But please don't tell me about the death of pop
Wear clean clothes and tie up all your laces
Eat to win but cover all your bases
You can bet that the tears will be stolen from their faces
When the talking head says the body contained traces
You can tell me about the death of the middle class
Everybody knows there's nothing between the bottom and the top
You can tell me about the death of Mama Cass
But please don't tell me about the death of pop
Death in Venice, death on the Nile
Death with dignity, death with a smile
Death of innocence, death of a salesman
Death in the afternoon, death of the whales, man
You can tell me about the death of the radical left
You can't call a coalition when you really need a cop
And I'm much to chic to be bereft
So please don't tell me about the death of pop
Lyrics submitted by GuyWallace
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