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.
[Verse 1]
Focus?
We didn't even notice
We awake in a place
We can barely recognize, yeah
Hypnosis
[Refrain 1]
And you can justify it all
Your back was up against the wall again
[Verse 2]
Shut up, silence
Add a little violence
And offend and pretend
And defend and demand my compliance
[Refrain 2]
And you can always justify
The missile trails across the sky again
[Chorus]
So what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
Go and look what you gone done
Welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
[Verse 3]
Needful
Too many fucking people
You'll have to take care of yourselves
You know I've got my hands full
[Refrain 2]
And you can always justify
The missile trails across the sky again
[Chorus]
Oh, what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
And look what you gone done
Come on welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong inside?
Are you less than?
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Chorus]
So what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than? (Are you less than? Less than?)
And look what you gone done
Well, welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong inside?
Are you less than?
Focus?
We didn't even notice
We awake in a place
We can barely recognize, yeah
Hypnosis
[Refrain 1]
And you can justify it all
Your back was up against the wall again
[Verse 2]
Shut up, silence
Add a little violence
And offend and pretend
And defend and demand my compliance
[Refrain 2]
And you can always justify
The missile trails across the sky again
[Chorus]
So what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
Go and look what you gone done
Welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
[Verse 3]
Needful
Too many fucking people
You'll have to take care of yourselves
You know I've got my hands full
[Refrain 2]
And you can always justify
The missile trails across the sky again
[Chorus]
Oh, what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than?
And look what you gone done
Come on welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong inside?
Are you less than?
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Chorus]
So what are you waiting for?
You got what you asked for
Did it fix what was wrong with you?
Are you less than? (Are you less than? Less than?)
And look what you gone done
Well, welcome oblivion
Did it fix what was wrong inside?
Are you less than?
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It's a comic tragidy how the "anti-Trump" people claim the song is about Trump supporters, when in fact it is about them just as much as it would be about Trump supporters. Ironicly, they don't get it.
The songs is about people who are so set in their own worlds, where they try to justify their malicious views. Be it Democrat or Republican, both sides try to "justify the missle trails across the sky." Or literally, the last 4 presidents enjoyed bombing nations regaurdless of the impact on civilians. (Democrat and Republican)
"And you can justify it all Your back was up against the wall again"
Those who supported Clinton or Trump, two grotesque figures, felt like they had no other choice. Oh but they did. This would work had Clinton won as well.
"Shut up, silence Add a little violence And offend and pretend And defend and demand my compliance"
A nod to the Leftwing Political Correctness antics. Violent protests, bringing violence into their opposition's rallys, silencing language that is deemed not fit, pretend it is offensive and demand things their way.
Also
A nod to the Rightwing who would yell OUT OUT OUT and fight with protestors who went into the Trump rallys. Trump, a authoritative figure, demanding his way.
"We didn't even notice We awake in a place We can barely recognize, yeah Hypnosis"
America has become so devided, a person such as Trump was actually able to take power. We were "Hypnotized" by the media that surley Clinton would win......Surely.....
The Bubble of self delusion.
"So what are you waiting for? You got what you asked for Did it fix what was wrong with you?"
To say this is only about Trump supporters is premature. Since they voted for him, it is then what they asked for. Seems that these verses are instead aimed at the general masses, both left and right, who through their continuous bickering, allowed two unfavorable candidates to grow and grow.
Had Clinton won, one could say, you git what you asked for. If we are being genuine, that is.
Of course those who HATE Trump and his supporters will gladly look at this song as their own anthem. But in reality, these are people who think everything is simple and black & white. Ignoring the nuances of a brilliant song by Trent, who yes, despises Trump, but is again, understanding of the bigger picture. (Hint hint, he hates Clinton as well).
@Jackmerkev <br /> <br /> I feel like thats some unnecessary reaching to try and wrangle away from the obvious- all the language in this points very readily to it being an anti-trump/trump supporter piece. Plus Reznor has been vocally anti-trump iirc. <br /> <br /> Really though as far as you need to look is 'Did it fix what was wrong with you?'. That's about as obvious a reaction to 'Make America Great Again' as you can get without literally saying 'did you makeAmerica great again'- it's riffing too clearly off the 'there was nothing to fix in the first place', ideology.<br /> <br /> I don't know, obviously interpret how you will but this feels like a situation where surface level reading is as far as it needs to go in context.
@Jackmerkev I agree, but it also about the Cold War as well, including Project MK Ultra, attempts to mind control US civilians, and was used in the urban legend Polybius.
@Jackmerkev Its more comical than tragic how much you've misunderstood this artist's intent. I find it hard to take you seriously as a literate person if you've heard his music and you don't understand that he is an outspoken leftist whose appraisal of the right is one of contempt, pity, and disappointment.<br /> <br /> youtube.com/watch<br /> consequenceofsound.net/2018/06/trent-reznor-donald-trump/<br /> <br /> this might surprise you but he wasn't very fond of Bush either, the entire year zero album was bashing on the Trump administration and general state of America.<br /> <br /> He doesn't comment on political correctness under those words, but does generally express an attitude of approval towards gay and trans communities. He also credits Coil and The Village People as being big influences on him.<br /> <br /> Christ read a book.