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.
pre>
E a e a
I cried when they shot medgar evers
E c#m
Tears ran down my spine
E a e
I cried when they shot mr. kennedy
F#7 b7
As though i'd lost a father of mine
E a e
But malcolm x got what was coming
G#m a
He got what he asked for this time
E c#m a b7 e
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I go to civil rights rallies
And i put down the old d.a.r.
I love harry and sidney and sammy
I hope every colored boy becomes a star
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I cheered when humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
I'm glad the commies were thrown out
Of the a.f.l. c.i.o. board
I love puerto ricans and negros
As long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
The people of old mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter don't they watch les crain?
But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope the cops take down your name
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I read new republic and nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, i've memorized lerner and golden
I feel like i'm almost a jew
But when it comes to times like korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I vote for the democtratic party
They want the u.n. to be strong
I go to all the pete seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs
I'll send all the money you ask for
But don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
Once i was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns
But i've grown older and wiser
And that's why i'm turning you in
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
/pre>
E a e a
I cried when they shot medgar evers
E c#m
Tears ran down my spine
E a e
I cried when they shot mr. kennedy
F#7 b7
As though i'd lost a father of mine
E a e
But malcolm x got what was coming
G#m a
He got what he asked for this time
E c#m a b7 e
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I go to civil rights rallies
And i put down the old d.a.r.
I love harry and sidney and sammy
I hope every colored boy becomes a star
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I cheered when humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
I'm glad the commies were thrown out
Of the a.f.l. c.i.o. board
I love puerto ricans and negros
As long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
The people of old mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter don't they watch les crain?
But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope the cops take down your name
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I read new republic and nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, i've memorized lerner and golden
I feel like i'm almost a jew
But when it comes to times like korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
I vote for the democtratic party
They want the u.n. to be strong
I go to all the pete seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs
I'll send all the money you ask for
But don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
Once i was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns
But i've grown older and wiser
And that's why i'm turning you in
So love me, love me, love me, i'm a liberal
/pre>
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Love Me, I'm a Liberal Lyrics as written by Phil Ochs
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with all of the above. He was a clever fucker!