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.
I want to tell you a story, happened long ago
About a redneck boy down from Tupelo
I got the slick black hair, I played a rock guitar
I liked to shake my hips, man, then i went too far
He ate his weight in country ham
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
I had a lot of girls, yeah, I had a lot of guns
When they found me dead, ow, the whole world was stunned
Went to the pearly gates, said, "I'm the hippest thing"
And Peter said "Well son, we already got ourselves a king"
He lived on southern deep-fried spam,
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
He finished his short life sweaty and bloated and stoned
(A-Hey-Hey)
He ruled his domain and he died on the throne
No "Yes-Men", no colonel, he went all alone...
(Hey, man, that looks like me down there on the floor)
I heard the devil cry real loud and clear
"You were the big man, there, hejust a sideman here
Well, I know your face, and I've heard your name
Looks like heaven's loss, gonna be my gain"
(I've got plans for you, man)
He ate his weight in country ham
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Well, I woke up, right here in Disgraceland
Disgraceland, thank you, thank you very much
About a redneck boy down from Tupelo
I got the slick black hair, I played a rock guitar
I liked to shake my hips, man, then i went too far
He ate his weight in country ham
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
I had a lot of girls, yeah, I had a lot of guns
When they found me dead, ow, the whole world was stunned
Went to the pearly gates, said, "I'm the hippest thing"
And Peter said "Well son, we already got ourselves a king"
He lived on southern deep-fried spam,
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
He finished his short life sweaty and bloated and stoned
(A-Hey-Hey)
He ruled his domain and he died on the throne
No "Yes-Men", no colonel, he went all alone...
(Hey, man, that looks like me down there on the floor)
I heard the devil cry real loud and clear
"You were the big man, there, hejust a sideman here
Well, I know your face, and I've heard your name
Looks like heaven's loss, gonna be my gain"
(I've got plans for you, man)
He ate his weight in country ham
Killed on pills and woke in Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Disgraceland
Well, I woke up, right here in Disgraceland
Disgraceland, thank you, thank you very much
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I like Elvis, but it's easy to admit this is a good song, probably the best (at least the cathiest) on the album. Still, pretty harsh words for such an American Icon!