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.
feet touch dirt, hands touch the sky
clothes we made hang from a line
we've watched as siblings die and pray we never will
sing these work songs silently
melodies of a thousand years
add a new verse everyday
a tour bus passes now and then, glaring souls as black as night
spirits maimed and crippled could never understand this life
their sympathy is laughable, we are the wealthiest alive
the hotels keep crawling nearer
the hum of bulldozers grows louder
their work songs blaze like bugles in our ears
the sickness is ambition, an insatiable appetite
to put their flags up everywhere, to burn down and build again
can you hold these ashes, tell yourself it was really worth the price?
Plastic priests on "great" missions
Conquistadors with wicked grins
your treasure is a myth
no use in digging here
clothes we made hang from a line
we've watched as siblings die and pray we never will
sing these work songs silently
melodies of a thousand years
add a new verse everyday
a tour bus passes now and then, glaring souls as black as night
spirits maimed and crippled could never understand this life
their sympathy is laughable, we are the wealthiest alive
the hotels keep crawling nearer
the hum of bulldozers grows louder
their work songs blaze like bugles in our ears
the sickness is ambition, an insatiable appetite
to put their flags up everywhere, to burn down and build again
can you hold these ashes, tell yourself it was really worth the price?
Plastic priests on "great" missions
Conquistadors with wicked grins
your treasure is a myth
no use in digging here
Lyrics submitted by Ken Braley
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That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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