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.
How can you tell me this land is free
Two party system hypocrisy
Trust in them with our lives
They're still the ones
Who decide your fate
Your destination
Who's in control of our lives
Burn your bridges to the ground
Forget all the freedom that you've found
Can see them from miles away
But I don't hear
What they say
Do you?
All those suits on capital hill
They're on my mind
They're making me ill
Important thing is what they're doing
I don't really care
I don't really give a fuck
Who they're screwing
Do you believe in your freedom
Stand up for you rights
Do what you choose
Burn your bridges to the ground
Forget all the freedom that you've found
I can see them from miles away
But I don't hear what they say
Do you?
Two party system hypocrisy
Trust in them with our lives
They're still the ones
Who decide your fate
Your destination
Who's in control of our lives
Burn your bridges to the ground
Forget all the freedom that you've found
Can see them from miles away
But I don't hear
What they say
Do you?
All those suits on capital hill
They're on my mind
They're making me ill
Important thing is what they're doing
I don't really care
I don't really give a fuck
Who they're screwing
Do you believe in your freedom
Stand up for you rights
Do what you choose
Burn your bridges to the ground
Forget all the freedom that you've found
I can see them from miles away
But I don't hear what they say
Do you?
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Bridges Lyrics as written by Robert Cameron
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
what a kisckass song!
i bought the cd rock the plank and i was listening to it and this song just stuck out it kicks so much ass!!
not a big fan of this song...seems like their trying to hard to find faults with democracy...it's so vague
*too