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.
As a boy I had a gig with a travelin' show
Way back in '63
We did a little pickin' for the soldier boys
Of General Bobby Lee
But when we got to Pennsylvania,
I knew there'd be a change
We caught up with some boys from Georgia
And I heard one of them say
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Later on I had a job pouring gin and rum
On the grand queen of the sea
We set out on our first transatlantic voyage
Headed for New York City
But when I felt that lady shudder
I knew there'd be a change
I saw the captain grab the first mate
And I thought I heard him say
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
In the Restaurant at the End of the Universe
In the year 3010
I was listenin' to the Good Old Interstellar Boys
Playin' "Let It Be" again
But when I heard the trumpet sounding
I knew there'd be a change
A prophet wearin' robes appeared before us
And he looked at me and said
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
Way back in '63
We did a little pickin' for the soldier boys
Of General Bobby Lee
But when we got to Pennsylvania,
I knew there'd be a change
We caught up with some boys from Georgia
And I heard one of them say
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Later on I had a job pouring gin and rum
On the grand queen of the sea
We set out on our first transatlantic voyage
Headed for New York City
But when I felt that lady shudder
I knew there'd be a change
I saw the captain grab the first mate
And I thought I heard him say
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
In the Restaurant at the End of the Universe
In the year 3010
I was listenin' to the Good Old Interstellar Boys
Playin' "Let It Be" again
But when I heard the trumpet sounding
I knew there'd be a change
A prophet wearin' robes appeared before us
And he looked at me and said
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Don't tell the band
The devil's on his way
Don't tell the band
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
Just let the music play
Lyrics submitted by urbabikaty
Don't Tell the Band Lyrics as written by Hermann Bell
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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where is the WSP love????
In my personal opinion, Michael Houser found out he had terminal pancreatic cancer. He didn't tell the band for a while because he wanted to keep playing music for a little while longer, before burdening everyone's mind
(with replacement, future career etc.)
I could be wrong.
I was in 8th grade when I got into panic. I'm 22 now. As I come of age, I realize what they're saying (at least from my perspective) we all see things differently.
Penned by Michael Houser this song was brought on because panic's management (browncat) we're making decisions they weren't normally use to making "on their own". The boys assured them in their position and gave them free reign over what they thought was in the best interest of the band and its future.
Houser plays on a few different era's of bands that were far from being in the loop. From the Civil War to the Titanic to the future rapture period.
Mikey being cheeky with some dark humor. He was so adamant at the end that the band keep going, that he wasn't the reason WSP broke up.
Just let the music play...