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.
Things are coming down on me
They never seem to let it be
It seems like everything I say just starts another fight
The pressure's building up inside
I gotta let it out tonight
Shattered glass will cure my ills and make me feel alright
[Chorus]
Gonna break it
And never stop running
Making nothing from something
Making nothing from something
Cut me for the lion's share
It's mindless but I don't care
'Cause no matter what I say
I'm in a another fight
Take more shit, I've had enough
Tonight I'm gonna rip it up
Broken windows cure my ills and make me feel alright
[Chorus]
They never seem to let it be
It seems like everything I say just starts another fight
The pressure's building up inside
I gotta let it out tonight
Shattered glass will cure my ills and make me feel alright
[Chorus]
Gonna break it
And never stop running
Making nothing from something
Making nothing from something
Cut me for the lion's share
It's mindless but I don't care
'Cause no matter what I say
I'm in a another fight
Take more shit, I've had enough
Tonight I'm gonna rip it up
Broken windows cure my ills and make me feel alright
[Chorus]
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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”
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This is actually my favorite song by The Offspring and I'm surprised no one has posted on it until now. I often feel stressed out and worried, and even though people dont like it, doing things like breaking stuff makes me feel better. Not like that crappy ass song by Limp Bizkit, though. Nuh Uh, no way....
@blinkbomber I agree, plus the chorus riff is infectious
What the fuck is that sound at the end? It sounds like a bong hit, but I could just listen to too much Alice in Chains...
More antisocial mayhem by the Offspring.
ALL TIME FAV. OFFSPRING SONG - "Cut me for a lion's share" my fav. line - and yo sometimes antisocial music is good, serves as an outlet from doing the real thing
Thank you Aeetos.
I hate when people blame this music for influencing anger/hate-filled mayhem, when it is mainly used for express anger, and hate, and not used as a theme song for violence and whatnots.
^^
You know... as far as meaning goes, I always considered this to be a song about cutting. Look at the lyrics: you have "cut me for a lion's share" and also the references to sharp objects that would inevitably hurt a person ("shattered glass;" "broken windows")
Now... it seems to me that it's a song about breaking things in anger or frustration. It's an outlet, of sorts. I don't know...
It sounds to me like a dude/girl who's had enough of whatever crap he's/she's had in his/her life that's bugging him/her and it seems like it's just not ending and he/she is gonna do something about it whether through violence, drinking, self mutilation (cutting or other things), or suicide. Either way, they're tired of it and they're not gonna go out and face it head on ("never stop running"). It's a sad song that has all too much basis in reality. I've known several people who have decided to cut themselves including my sister, and at one time I was hitting myself with hammers (I decided that scars and scabs were too obvious, body pain could be anything, not necciarily self-harm. Logic of a depressed person). It doesn't really cause anything bad, this music, it simply tells a story of misfortune. No more evil than Dateline NBC.