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.
We embrace
Judgement day
We embrace new inventions
Find your grace in defeat
We Embrace
New intentions
Forced on us
By decree
We are the ones to change the world now
Still in control of all machinery
We claim the right to pull the trigger and damage your image of honor
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological remedy
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological tragedy is near)
We are the ones that rule the world now
You are entrapped by blind inanity
There is no way that you'll revoke your decision
Now look for distraction
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological elegy
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological force)
We are the enhanced
Natural leaders
Turning righteous
Into deceivers
Schemes of the mind
Absence of soul
Symbol of the triumph over human race
Cold-blooded kind
Minds are controlled
Doomsday has arrived
There is no escape
I am forever the snake devouring its tail
In search of eternity
We embrace new inventions
Find your grace in defeat
We embrace new intentions
No one stands in our way
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological misery
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological times shall flourish)
Fight your
(We are your leaders)
Way out
(Never displease us)
Show no remorse
Judgement day
We embrace new inventions
Find your grace in defeat
We Embrace
New intentions
Forced on us
By decree
We are the ones to change the world now
Still in control of all machinery
We claim the right to pull the trigger and damage your image of honor
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological remedy
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological tragedy is near)
We are the ones that rule the world now
You are entrapped by blind inanity
There is no way that you'll revoke your decision
Now look for distraction
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological elegy
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological force)
We are the enhanced
Natural leaders
Turning righteous
Into deceivers
Schemes of the mind
Absence of soul
Symbol of the triumph over human race
Cold-blooded kind
Minds are controlled
Doomsday has arrived
There is no escape
I am forever the snake devouring its tail
In search of eternity
We embrace new inventions
Find your grace in defeat
We embrace new intentions
No one stands in our way
Inventing
Improving
Creating
Existence embrace the technological misery
Robotic legions, stand in line to carry out
The retribution and effects of this advanced technology
All new inventions have to pay
They have to fight their way to judgement day
(Technological times shall flourish)
Fight your
(We are your leaders)
Way out
(Never displease us)
Show no remorse
Lyrics submitted by SiimoneSays
Universal Death Squad Lyrics as written by Isaac Delahaye Coen J Janssen
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Mark: “The lyrics are about robots who decide they want to kill; that is, artificial intelligence that’s programmed to fight in wars without anyone having to push a button. There have been many science fiction movies about robots who can think for themselves, but now it’s really happening. If you can put emotions into robots and create sentient artificial intelligence, what’s the difference between a robot and a human? And what if we’re all robots but just don’t know it? Anything is possible!”