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.
Wyclef talking:
Yo to my people doing time, Xzibit, Juvenile, y'all need to
Wake up everybody Nature, Ja Rule, Reptile come on
bring the heat.
Xzibit overlaps
Look, I'm inhumane livin' in this house of pain
stuck with a thousand street hustlers
down on they luck
Repeat felons caught up with the death I was sellin'
and for the past three months yo I can still hear my victims yellin'
but I can't listen to my conscience it's nonsense
if I didn't shoot I'd be the nigga in the suit in the box under the ground
fox chased by the hound locked permanent frown Xzibit get down
by liftin' iron by the pound for the tough individual
runnin' run his mouth throw some hands with the General
walk one day in the shoes of a criminal
death disease keep your luxuries to a minimal
I'm not talkin' about weed, jewels, & Bentleys
I'm talkin' about clean clothes, hot food, and Dentyne
see what I mean livin' with the scum of the earth
hit with plenty of time to adjust to life on the inside
(Wyclef) For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Juvenile
You got me fucked up I'm innocent
look I ain't do this shit you don't want to hear my side
but you believin' that bitch
You makin' my nerves bad I need to smoke me a jo'
'cause I know y'all ain't even thinkin' 'bout lettin' me go
Where my lawyer, nigga told me Juv' I can't do nothin' for ya
Y'all go tell that to my mother & my father
but they gon' cus y'all so don't you even bother
you know that shit ain't right that bitch didn't see nothin'
'cause it was dark at night but I guess us blacks
look the same to y'all passin' niggas around like a game of ball
This is my third felony plus my third strike
man I ain't goin' home I got 25 to Life.
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
QU New York, you try to criticize me I criticize you
been the same muthafucka since in high school
any beat I shed light to with crazy wattage
Blankin' out bought my first eight ball for eighty dollars
learned who not to trust grew obnoxious
so niggas start to hate me same time the boys in blue watch us
circlin' but they don't slow down take you to court
think you seein' Judge Joe Brown they just actin'
Indy's throwin' Tyson back in another year
fuckin' with a nigga's career I cock back at bust in the air
give me space beats with plenty bass drink my Hennessey straight
'til I hurl out third world clout I'll take niggas hearts
and turn killers into girl scouts works of art
Picasso from the Hydro roller-slash-hustler CEO-slash-retired soldier
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Ja Rule
Kill or be killed behind the wall 40 day short
still the thought of murderer true to the sport
I bang with the best niggas them career criminals
now I'm in with these youngins lookin' to feel me out
Hollerin' 'bout how they gon' hit on me now
Niggas is real wild bangin' before trial
new kicks new trial I don't give a fuck
I'm playin' the yard ox taped to my nuts
ready to self destruct Lord I don't wanna die
but what powered your honor to hit me with 25
I know that real recognize every hustle
and die with these niggas in the struggle
Ya feel me
Reptile
Oh God shells loaded in the semi auto quoted
unknown cat never voted picture me on the scene
huntin' for greens like Mike Meyers trick or treatin' on Halloween
mashed down in the fatigues servin' the fiends
kill or be killed metal pipes under the sleeve
in the city slicker bust checks or puff cess
ruffneck love liquor & act figures bloodsport on the streets
no gloves pullin' knives out the 'fridge handin' out cold cuts
ugh streets real thug so recognize thug close yo' eyes thug
you 'bout to die thug!
Call the President I'm blowin' up ya residence
spill acid on the corpse to clear the evidence
Protestors outside screamin' free Gotti
guard your body SWAT teams is waitin' with the shotty
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Wyclef: Y'all need to wake up everybody
REPEAT
For all my people doin' time keep your head up
Wyclef Jerry "Wonder" New Millenium new millenium come on
Yo to my people doing time, Xzibit, Juvenile, y'all need to
Wake up everybody Nature, Ja Rule, Reptile come on
bring the heat.
Xzibit overlaps
Look, I'm inhumane livin' in this house of pain
stuck with a thousand street hustlers
down on they luck
Repeat felons caught up with the death I was sellin'
and for the past three months yo I can still hear my victims yellin'
but I can't listen to my conscience it's nonsense
if I didn't shoot I'd be the nigga in the suit in the box under the ground
fox chased by the hound locked permanent frown Xzibit get down
by liftin' iron by the pound for the tough individual
runnin' run his mouth throw some hands with the General
walk one day in the shoes of a criminal
death disease keep your luxuries to a minimal
I'm not talkin' about weed, jewels, & Bentleys
I'm talkin' about clean clothes, hot food, and Dentyne
see what I mean livin' with the scum of the earth
hit with plenty of time to adjust to life on the inside
(Wyclef) For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Juvenile
You got me fucked up I'm innocent
look I ain't do this shit you don't want to hear my side
but you believin' that bitch
You makin' my nerves bad I need to smoke me a jo'
'cause I know y'all ain't even thinkin' 'bout lettin' me go
Where my lawyer, nigga told me Juv' I can't do nothin' for ya
Y'all go tell that to my mother & my father
but they gon' cus y'all so don't you even bother
you know that shit ain't right that bitch didn't see nothin'
'cause it was dark at night but I guess us blacks
look the same to y'all passin' niggas around like a game of ball
This is my third felony plus my third strike
man I ain't goin' home I got 25 to Life.
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
QU New York, you try to criticize me I criticize you
been the same muthafucka since in high school
any beat I shed light to with crazy wattage
Blankin' out bought my first eight ball for eighty dollars
learned who not to trust grew obnoxious
so niggas start to hate me same time the boys in blue watch us
circlin' but they don't slow down take you to court
think you seein' Judge Joe Brown they just actin'
Indy's throwin' Tyson back in another year
fuckin' with a nigga's career I cock back at bust in the air
give me space beats with plenty bass drink my Hennessey straight
'til I hurl out third world clout I'll take niggas hearts
and turn killers into girl scouts works of art
Picasso from the Hydro roller-slash-hustler CEO-slash-retired soldier
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Ja Rule
Kill or be killed behind the wall 40 day short
still the thought of murderer true to the sport
I bang with the best niggas them career criminals
now I'm in with these youngins lookin' to feel me out
Hollerin' 'bout how they gon' hit on me now
Niggas is real wild bangin' before trial
new kicks new trial I don't give a fuck
I'm playin' the yard ox taped to my nuts
ready to self destruct Lord I don't wanna die
but what powered your honor to hit me with 25
I know that real recognize every hustle
and die with these niggas in the struggle
Ya feel me
Reptile
Oh God shells loaded in the semi auto quoted
unknown cat never voted picture me on the scene
huntin' for greens like Mike Meyers trick or treatin' on Halloween
mashed down in the fatigues servin' the fiends
kill or be killed metal pipes under the sleeve
in the city slicker bust checks or puff cess
ruffneck love liquor & act figures bloodsport on the streets
no gloves pullin' knives out the 'fridge handin' out cold cuts
ugh streets real thug so recognize thug close yo' eyes thug
you 'bout to die thug!
Call the President I'm blowin' up ya residence
spill acid on the corpse to clear the evidence
Protestors outside screamin' free Gotti
guard your body SWAT teams is waitin' with the shotty
For every rhyme I write get 25 to Life
Wyclef: Y'all need to wake up everybody
REPEAT
For all my people doin' time keep your head up
Wyclef Jerry "Wonder" New Millenium new millenium come on
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
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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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
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