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.
Be strong and you will be renewed
I was raised in a tragedy by slaves
where kids are drug addicts or
they are bored and lazy still
I return to my home town and
it's just like going to a funeral
and all of them are dying in love
with paradise idle conversation makes
them wise did you hear the one about
Greg a rare talent he was unsung until
the blow came no one really dies they
just get fired our legacy to retire
young and all of them are drowning the
waves of apathy trust fund junkies slamming
the debris it's a dream identify now and then
I miss her her masochistic hands fulfilling
empty plans and all of us
our lying on golden shores of greed
we're dead by thirty dead by thirty
dead in daydream
I was raised in a tragedy by slaves
where kids are drug addicts or
they are bored and lazy still
I return to my home town and
it's just like going to a funeral
and all of them are dying in love
with paradise idle conversation makes
them wise did you hear the one about
Greg a rare talent he was unsung until
the blow came no one really dies they
just get fired our legacy to retire
young and all of them are drowning the
waves of apathy trust fund junkies slamming
the debris it's a dream identify now and then
I miss her her masochistic hands fulfilling
empty plans and all of us
our lying on golden shores of greed
we're dead by thirty dead by thirty
dead in daydream
Lyrics submitted by swomprat
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Don't listen to him. Logan's Run is an awesome movie. Fun sci-fi.
I like this song, it seems to me like it is about just how sucky the place and time he was raised is. Seems to be kind of pessimistic, but it's a cool song. I think I like Bad Astronaut
yeah, i think you
are right
(sorry about the split.)
pessimisitc as all hell I love this song. My fav BA song.(or one of them) this is the gritty and dirty side of things we all have to face. I dont even know this is just the fuckin song and its chilling. There seems to be this obsession with age and fear of getting old...but the phrase "Were dead by thirty" is actually a reference to the movie Logans Run
Logans Run is a kinda campy but cool sci fi movie in which in the furue on people's 30th birthdays they are hurled into space....these people are caught by "runners" employed to track them down...but what happens when one of the runners turns 30 ...??? rent it if you havent seen it then listen to the song
the electronic subtile part is really great !
I like this song, and I think it likes me too.
i think what joey means with "we're dead by thirty" is that when people turn thirty they're still alive but it wouldn't matter if they were dead 'cause all they do is hang around, watch tv, work... they don't have a real life anymore! i think this song is in general about society... people are greedy, all they do is try to earn as much money as possible. and i think "i was raised in a tragedy by slaves" means that his parents (as well as all the other grown up workers) are slaves to the state... they do what laws, politicians etc. tell them to do! and the kids get really depressed 'cause they don't wanna end this way... so they take drugs or they're bored and lazy!... that's what the song means to me... thanks for reading!
well the dead by thirty line was already explained, its from the movie. But trust me, unless you have a lot of time to kill and don't mind boring yourself to death, DO NOT RENT THE FLICK. This song is truly amazing. I Love the "Did you hear the one about Greg" line.
This is getting petty, but Logan's Run is BRRUUUUTAL! Think 2005's "The Island" except even slower. That pretty much sums it up. Great song by the way, one of their best. Can't wait for the new album