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.
I am a victim of the science age
A child of the storm, whoa, yes
I can't remember when I was your age
For me, it says no more, no more
Nobody rules these streets at night but me
The Atomic Punk, oh yeah, ah
I am the ruler of these netherworlds
The underground, whoa, yes
On every wall and place, my fearsome name is hung
Just look around, whoa, yes
Nobody rules these streets at night but me
The Atomic Punk, ah
Oh
I am the ruler of these netherworlds
The underground, oh, oh
On every wall and place, my fearsome name is hung
Look around, whoa, yeah
Nobody rules these streets at night but me, nobody, ah
The Atomic Punk
A child of the storm, whoa, yes
I can't remember when I was your age
For me, it says no more, no more
Nobody rules these streets at night but me
The Atomic Punk, oh yeah, ah
I am the ruler of these netherworlds
The underground, whoa, yes
On every wall and place, my fearsome name is hung
Just look around, whoa, yes
Nobody rules these streets at night but me
The Atomic Punk, ah
Oh
I am the ruler of these netherworlds
The underground, oh, oh
On every wall and place, my fearsome name is hung
Look around, whoa, yeah
Nobody rules these streets at night but me, nobody, ah
The Atomic Punk
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion
Atomic Punk Lyrics as written by Edward Van Halen Alex Van Halen
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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how can you guys say this is about david lee roth becoming famous because of van halen when this was their first album??? they werent famous before this record was made
^ cough cough Billy Squire
*Squier.
I think 'ol Diamond Dave is talking about Van Halen itself in this song... or he could be talking about himself and how big of a star Van Halen has made him. Of course now that I think about it, I have no idea what this song is talking about.
This an extremely excellent song. ROCK ON VAN HALEN.
Sounds like the song is about some badass punk dude
this is one of my favorite songs
(if it wasn't that obvious)
For one, the lyrics are wrong.
For two, this is a concept song based on a 'Steampunk' theme.
Also, for three, this was one of the first media references made to Philip K. Dick's 'Do Androids Dream of Sheep'.
This one actually predates the movie Blade Runner by a good 4 years.
10west how can this be about satan according to you almost every van halen song is about satan well i have to let you know that "Atomic Punk" is about how DLR became super popular because of Van Halen I am a victim of the science age (he is part of the generation that is granted all the new technological advantages science has made) A child of the storm (someone that had it rough when young) ... (rest selfexplanatory) ...A ruler of these nether worlds The underground (the personality of sunset blvd at the time it was underground music because pop metal wasnt main stream) On every wall and place my fearsome name is heard (saying that everyone critized his ways of being a frontman and his "unique" personality. Because of this everyone knew who he was.) Nobody rules these streets at night but me.. the Atomic Punk (That nobody that played at sunset blvd. at the time specially Quiet Riot, Van Halen rival band in its early yrs, played better than the all mighty van halen and DLR A.K.A. the Atomic Punk. Its supposed to be like a superhero name that hides DLR name)
@kicker20 I think the explanation that it's about Satan is 1000 times more logical.<br /> <br /> "I am a victim of the science age", meaning DLR is an MKULTRA victiim or rather the 'science age' is really a godless people who've been overrun by the spiritual forces of the devil.<br /> <br /> you see the world burning from nuclear war, now you got a president of the US who is a homosexual, thus the Atomic Punk plus other faggots with their fingers on nuclear missile buttons.<br /> <br /> Nobody rules these streets at night but me, Satan rules the streets of America. Good people don't go out at night in the US like other countries, other countries there's people walking around til 3 in the morning, women walking alone, in US everyone hides in their houses after sun sets they don't socialize and socially organize in any sort of intelligent way so Satan rules over them.
also notice Satan deleted the comment you are referring to, which is odd because why are you singing a rock song to boast of your conquest and then deleting the comments of some nobody who merely points out what you are doing? It's because the devil hates it when people point out what's really going on, there is a kind of getting off on people not knowing or understanding what the songs are really about. Sort of like the thrill psychopathic liars get in lying to people or decieving them.
how can you guys say this is about david lee roth becoming famous because of van halen when this was their first album??? they werent famous before this record was made
This was written after they had acquired a record deal. This was a spit in the face of all the rival bands they had encountered on the LA club scene. Cuz they were finally "ruling the streets at night."
The verses depict the club scenes and possibly even the whole rock scene of the mid and late 70's as a dark underworld. But they were finally on top when the gained a record deal.