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.
Ten short years of progressive change
Fifty fucking years of calling us names
Can we trade title nine for an end to hate crime
Are you-486 if we suck your fuckin dick
One step forward, five steps back
One cool record in the year of rock-rap
Yeah we got all the power getting stabbed in the shower
And we got equal rights on ladies night
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
Mrs. Doubtfire on mother's day
On-the-job stalker for equal pay
Toss us a few new aids drugs
As national health care bites the dust
While you were on vacation
Black people didn't get reparations
You know these days no one's exploited
Sorry dude can't hear you with my head in the toilet
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
You've really come a long way baby
It's you, not the world, that's totally crazy
'cause we rocked the fuckin' vote
With election fraud in poor zip codes
Celebrate gay marriage in Vermont
By enforcing those old sodomy laws
One step forward five steps back
We tell the truth they turn up the laugh track
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
Fifty fucking years of calling us names
Can we trade title nine for an end to hate crime
Are you-486 if we suck your fuckin dick
One step forward, five steps back
One cool record in the year of rock-rap
Yeah we got all the power getting stabbed in the shower
And we got equal rights on ladies night
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
Mrs. Doubtfire on mother's day
On-the-job stalker for equal pay
Toss us a few new aids drugs
As national health care bites the dust
While you were on vacation
Black people didn't get reparations
You know these days no one's exploited
Sorry dude can't hear you with my head in the toilet
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
F.y.r. fifty years of ridicule
F.y.r. take another picture
You've really come a long way baby
It's you, not the world, that's totally crazy
'cause we rocked the fuckin' vote
With election fraud in poor zip codes
Celebrate gay marriage in Vermont
By enforcing those old sodomy laws
One step forward five steps back
We tell the truth they turn up the laugh track
Feminists we're calling you
Please report to the front desk
Let's name this phenomenon
It's too dumb to bring us down
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
and when were the "10 short years of progressive change"?? the 90s? or the third wave back in the late 60s early 70s?