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.
All my friends are takin' over
To make a mess of me
All my friends are broke and ugly
And make a mess of me
Then I saw a river fall from Heaven
Rain mistakes on me
Then I saw your mother shoot your father
Killed herself the same
All my friends have made a cyclone
To make a mess of me
All my friends have broken silence
To make a mess of me
All my friends are takin' over
To make a mess of me
All my friends are broke and ugly
And make a mess of me
Then I saw a river fall from Heaven
Rain mistakes on me
Then I saw your mother shoot your father
Killed herself the same
Blow it all away
Get the gun out
Load the bullets
Shot that fucker in his head
To make a mess of me
All my friends are broke and ugly
And make a mess of me
Then I saw a river fall from Heaven
Rain mistakes on me
Then I saw your mother shoot your father
Killed herself the same
All my friends have made a cyclone
To make a mess of me
All my friends have broken silence
To make a mess of me
All my friends are takin' over
To make a mess of me
All my friends are broke and ugly
And make a mess of me
Then I saw a river fall from Heaven
Rain mistakes on me
Then I saw your mother shoot your father
Killed herself the same
Blow it all away
Get the gun out
Load the bullets
Shot that fucker in his head
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Every song written by Cold is full of emotion- about personal pains, situations and life in generally kickin' your ass! this one is the same. Sort of a farewell letter from someone broken, that feels like they cant go on. it's just a sad song about real feelings
I love the lyrics! and my opinon is gold ;)
I love this song from the album "Cold"..It kicks major ass!..Awesome lyrics!
I think it's about the people (parents, friends) that influence your behavior, attitude, and life-styles.
Cold are awesome, and put a hell of a lot more thought and depth and feeling into their lyrics than many other bands out there.
Right on with the video ... Scooter looks so damn sexy with his cowboy hat! lol ... and those kids in the video are just creepy.
Although this is far from a cover, I get the feeling the title of the song and perhaps the whole idea was influenced by Pink Floyd's "Goodbye Cruel World." My opinions on the song is betrayal and being unable to recover from losing the ones you love (family, friends).
omg these lyrics are swesome.
omg these lyrics are awesome.
I think it's actually about someone who's been so surrounded by death and violence and finally just kills himself because he's so desensitized and depressed. Everyone think's he's going to be suicidal, and he just decides that if they expect it of him, it doesn't matter if he does it
great shit..........fukin brutal