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.
Fuck Columbus he was lost
Mickey Mouse needs speed
Uncle Sam spoon fed on crack
E.T. loves LSD
Diet Coke head Barbie dreams
Of sex and God in jeans
While friendly fire Arnie pumps PR
For the media war machine
Forget Columbus
Lost your culture
Every dollar, family moral
In Cosby we trust
Sesame Street kids with toys
Bought at Guns 'are' Us
Have a nice day in hell today
White hot concrete screams
Reality is living your life
To fulfill your dreams
Forget Columbus
Lost your culture
E.T. loves LSD
Mickey Mouse needs speed
Uncle Sam spoon fed on crack
E.T. loves LSD
Diet Coke head Barbie dreams
Of sex and God in jeans
While friendly fire Arnie pumps PR
For the media war machine
Forget Columbus
Lost your culture
Every dollar, family moral
In Cosby we trust
Sesame Street kids with toys
Bought at Guns 'are' Us
Have a nice day in hell today
White hot concrete screams
Reality is living your life
To fulfill your dreams
Forget Columbus
Lost your culture
E.T. loves LSD
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The meaning of this song should indeed be starkly clear to anyone except for those living in .us :) Therapy is not known for overly cryptic lyrics.
Note how Nurse was released in 1992, the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering the americas. The nationalistic media-noise surrounding this is clearly what triggered the lyrics. Not only is columbus in the chorus, he's in the opening line.
The fact that the song is from 1992 shows in other places. "Media war machine" clearly refers to the first CNN-war held in Mesopotamia. All of the big 80s icons feature. E.T., barbie, arnie, cosby, mickey mouse and sesame street aren't nearly as prevalent as they used to be back then.
There is an updated version of this song, coming off the "Lonely, crying only" single, dated 1998. The second verse there starts with: "Every bible, family moral. In Oprah we trust."
This song will soon be 15years old, its age might be showing, but it is still as relevant as it has ever been. Fantastic.