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.
staring in the face of condemnation
laughter fills the sky instead of rain
live my life alone in resignation
arms outstretched for those who cannot see
scarecrow
crucified and left in isolation
pictures of our lost morality
scarecrow
eyeless stares invite this whole damnation
rotting corpse of inhumanity
scarecrow
laughter fills the sky instead of rain
live my life alone in resignation
arms outstretched for those who cannot see
scarecrow
crucified and left in isolation
pictures of our lost morality
scarecrow
eyeless stares invite this whole damnation
rotting corpse of inhumanity
scarecrow
Lyrics submitted by kare
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"led zeppelin when the levee breaks is the basis or this song... just thought I'd point that out to make myself feel superior..."
It does sound very similar, but did they do that on purpose as an homage, or is it just a coincidence?
@samwalton I agree with what Dressed2Depressed said 8 years ago: "When the Levee Breaks" serves as the inspiration for the rhythym of this song. A coincidence seems unlikely. But I think it's not an homage either. It sounds to me more as a middle ground: the Led Zeppelin song inspired Jourgensen, Barker, Scaccia, Rieflin and Balch to come up with that beat.