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.
I can't free myself of the suspicion
For your motives on your mission
Some people live for the rules
I live for exceptions
Can't take part in the deception
But I know just how it feels
To want to blow the world away
Just to get to what is real
It won't work 'cause
Everybody grinds to a halt now and then
Everybody's game gets salt then again
No matter what the papers say, they're normal as they come
Bodyguards, ball of wax, the hide behind the gun
They get a panic pulse when they are so far from home
To me that is the reason to continue to roam
Exhilaration mix with the people skunk blazing
Checking out the shows that are sadly un-amazing
Hostile apostle, who are you following
Negative energy that you're swallowing
Some coked out malcontent
Who's soul is up for rent
Victim of lost soul, hostile apostle
Unlimited in time and space and nearest universal
Light is what we're reachin' for, it's not rehearsal
Follow this around, follow this hustle
Makin' use of everything, movin' all your muscle
Angry human leads impressionable boy
To skulls and piercings and will to destroy
All of your heroes speak nothing to me
One emotion, one tempo, and no real feeling
In this field we are the presence of the thoughts you're missin'
Keepin' positive intact from all the people dissin'
Open your eyes, look at who you're kissin'
If you can't hear it people, just listen
Hostile apostle, who are you following
Negative energy that you're swallowing
Some coked out malcontent
Who's soul is up for rent
Victim of lost soul, hostile apostle
Angry human leads impressionable boy
To skulls and piercings and will to destroy
All of your heroes speak nothing to me
You don't have to be a prick just to be heavy
Chaingin' all the time we changin' all the same
Change in this life and this eternal flame
Warm in the sun, refresh in the breeze
Glow in the stars, blossom in the trees
Livin' through life in infinite extent
Spread undivided, operate unspent
No high, no low, no great, and no small
Build and bound, connect and equal all
For your motives on your mission
Some people live for the rules
I live for exceptions
Can't take part in the deception
But I know just how it feels
To want to blow the world away
Just to get to what is real
It won't work 'cause
Everybody grinds to a halt now and then
Everybody's game gets salt then again
No matter what the papers say, they're normal as they come
Bodyguards, ball of wax, the hide behind the gun
They get a panic pulse when they are so far from home
To me that is the reason to continue to roam
Exhilaration mix with the people skunk blazing
Checking out the shows that are sadly un-amazing
Hostile apostle, who are you following
Negative energy that you're swallowing
Some coked out malcontent
Who's soul is up for rent
Victim of lost soul, hostile apostle
Unlimited in time and space and nearest universal
Light is what we're reachin' for, it's not rehearsal
Follow this around, follow this hustle
Makin' use of everything, movin' all your muscle
Angry human leads impressionable boy
To skulls and piercings and will to destroy
All of your heroes speak nothing to me
One emotion, one tempo, and no real feeling
In this field we are the presence of the thoughts you're missin'
Keepin' positive intact from all the people dissin'
Open your eyes, look at who you're kissin'
If you can't hear it people, just listen
Hostile apostle, who are you following
Negative energy that you're swallowing
Some coked out malcontent
Who's soul is up for rent
Victim of lost soul, hostile apostle
Angry human leads impressionable boy
To skulls and piercings and will to destroy
All of your heroes speak nothing to me
You don't have to be a prick just to be heavy
Chaingin' all the time we changin' all the same
Change in this life and this eternal flame
Warm in the sun, refresh in the breeze
Glow in the stars, blossom in the trees
Livin' through life in infinite extent
Spread undivided, operate unspent
No high, no low, no great, and no small
Build and bound, connect and equal all
Lyrics submitted by pen1234567
Hostile Apostle Lyrics as written by Nicholas Hexum Douglas Martinez
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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