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.
Believing the lies defines American
They don't realize their ignorance and sin
Democracy ain't real it's a fairytale
Anarchy now then spend the night in jail
I won't pretend that it ain't wrong
I won't just go along
Humanity is deceased
And the sickness has increased
For the people by the people
Who's considered people anyway?
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
So much for equal opportunity
They don't realize their ignorance and sin
Democracy ain't real it's a fairytale
Anarchy now then spend the night in jail
I won't pretend that it ain't wrong
I won't just go along
Humanity is deceased
And the sickness has increased
For the people by the people
Who's considered people anyway?
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
So much for equal opportunity
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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I like it. It talks about the corruption of the democrats.
it seems like its saying how the democrocy of america is not true democracy. if i am certain..mxpx are pro-democrats and its jsut stating how america is corrupt not democrats.
the band members in mxpx are democrats, so obviously they are not bashing democrats. they are bashing capitalism and the american government (and rightly so!). for example they say: "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer... so much for equal opportunity!" this is a liberal idea