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.
Roots
Don't forget your roots
Don't forget your roots
Don't forget your roots
I was thinkin' 'bout the good old times
And all the people that helped me survive
Now who the hell knows where I'll be
Without the branches of my family tree
I was thinkin' 'bout the friends who cared
And all the times that we shared
If I had the strength to be what I could be
Love and respect to the branches of my tree
Family tree
Family tree
Family tree
Roots
Don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
I was thinkin' 'bout the good old times
And all the people that helped me survive
Who the hell knows where I'll be
Without the branches of my family tree
Thinkin' 'bout the times we shared
And all the times that I was scared
Living and learning in the NYC
Shoutouts go out to my New York family
Family tree
Family tree
Family tree
Roots
Don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
Right now, I wanna give a shoutout to the chosen few
Alleyway Crew, DMS Crew, The Orphans, Triple C, KAC, BBC, The U.S. Thugs
And the entire New York hardcore family
Don't forget the struggle
Don't forget the streets
Don't forget your roots
And don't sell out
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
Don't forget your roots
Don't forget your roots
Don't forget your roots
I was thinkin' 'bout the good old times
And all the people that helped me survive
Now who the hell knows where I'll be
Without the branches of my family tree
I was thinkin' 'bout the friends who cared
And all the times that we shared
If I had the strength to be what I could be
Love and respect to the branches of my tree
Family tree
Family tree
Family tree
Roots
Don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
I was thinkin' 'bout the good old times
And all the people that helped me survive
Who the hell knows where I'll be
Without the branches of my family tree
Thinkin' 'bout the times we shared
And all the times that I was scared
Living and learning in the NYC
Shoutouts go out to my New York family
Family tree
Family tree
Family tree
Roots
Don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
Right now, I wanna give a shoutout to the chosen few
Alleyway Crew, DMS Crew, The Orphans, Triple C, KAC, BBC, The U.S. Thugs
And the entire New York hardcore family
Don't forget the struggle
Don't forget the streets
Don't forget your roots
And don't sell out
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
And don't forget your roots
Lyrics submitted by ChErRyCoLa
Family Tree Lyrics as written by Rusty Pistachio Eric Rice
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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