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.
Guilty as charged
But damn it, it ain't right
There's someone else controlling me
Death in the air
Strapped in the electric chair
This can't be happening to me
Who made you God to say
"I'll take your life from you"
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
Wait for the sign
To flick the switch of death
It's the beginning of the end
Sweat, chilling cold
As I watch death unfold
Consciousness my only friend
My fingers grip with fear
What I am doing here?
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
Someone help me
Oh please, God, help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die
Someone help me
Oh please God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die
Time moving slow
The minutes seem like hours
The final curtain call I see
How true is this?
Just get it over with
If this is true, just let it be
Wakened by the horrid scream
Freed from the frightening dream
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
But damn it, it ain't right
There's someone else controlling me
Death in the air
Strapped in the electric chair
This can't be happening to me
Who made you God to say
"I'll take your life from you"
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
Wait for the sign
To flick the switch of death
It's the beginning of the end
Sweat, chilling cold
As I watch death unfold
Consciousness my only friend
My fingers grip with fear
What I am doing here?
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
Someone help me
Oh please, God, help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die
Someone help me
Oh please God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die
Time moving slow
The minutes seem like hours
The final curtain call I see
How true is this?
Just get it over with
If this is true, just let it be
Wakened by the horrid scream
Freed from the frightening dream
Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the flames
Lyrics submitted by elmoz, edited by RyanWolfeh
Ride The Lightning Lyrics as written by Dave Mustaine Clifford Lee Burton
Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It is important wheater the guy did or did not commit the crime. The man is going to die for commiting a crime he didn't commit. Hetfield said that he believes in capital punishment, and the song is more about the idea of being strapped to the electric chair even though you didn't commit the crime, and it is about, like others on the album "Ride the Lighting," are about not being able to escape a situation.