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.
One more for the rodeo, an old-school '60s team
A great new wide awakening spews out at the seams
Laid out cold on the table, a sheet pulled over his head
I turned around to the janitor, asked him just how long you'd been dead
And it's one more for the rodeo, one more for the show
One more pretender who just had to go
All the gods and gurus blowing from the east
So caught up in your principles it eats your mind like a disease
I wish I was invisible, hidden from the crowd
And this cold wind blows down the sidewalk and leaves me wondering how
And it's one more for the rodeo, one more for the show
One more pretender who just had to go
---instrumental---
One more for the rodeo, one more for the show, one more pretender, who just had to go
A great new wide awakening spews out at the seams
Laid out cold on the table, a sheet pulled over his head
I turned around to the janitor, asked him just how long you'd been dead
And it's one more for the rodeo, one more for the show
One more pretender who just had to go
All the gods and gurus blowing from the east
So caught up in your principles it eats your mind like a disease
I wish I was invisible, hidden from the crowd
And this cold wind blows down the sidewalk and leaves me wondering how
And it's one more for the rodeo, one more for the show
One more pretender who just had to go
---instrumental---
One more for the rodeo, one more for the show, one more pretender, who just had to go
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.