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.
In all that he takes in all that he shows
The higher the stakes the lower the blows
And all the mistakes that he's never known
Whatever it takes he'll be stealing the show
Now he nervously shakes as we rattle his stage
But he's happy to be stuck back in his halcyon days
Now we're trying hard to reconcile a history of shame
But he reinforced the barriers that keep it the same
If you treat me like a dog
And keep me locked in a cage
I'm not relaxed or comfortable
I'm aggravation and shame
But it's a fine fine time for the people in the lucky land
If you treat me like a dog
And keep me locked in a cage
I'm not relaxed or comfortable
I'm aggravation and rage
The higher the stakes the lower the blows
And all the mistakes that he's never known
Whatever it takes he'll be stealing the show
Now he nervously shakes as we rattle his stage
But he's happy to be stuck back in his halcyon days
Now we're trying hard to reconcile a history of shame
But he reinforced the barriers that keep it the same
If you treat me like a dog
And keep me locked in a cage
I'm not relaxed or comfortable
I'm aggravation and shame
But it's a fine fine time for the people in the lucky land
If you treat me like a dog
And keep me locked in a cage
I'm not relaxed or comfortable
I'm aggravation and rage
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This ones easy- its about powderfingers feelings towards the government and the issues surronding reconciliation
"he" is john howard, current prime minister of australia.
Great song - Total rip off of Iggy and Bowie, but done with so much rocking class that it dont really matter - Riff to die for!
Thought it was about Anthony Mundine...
"He" is John Howard and the song is about Aborigines and reconciliation. Howard pretends to care, but he never actually does anything to reconcile with the Aboriginal people (we're trying hard to reconcile a history of shame). The "dogs" are the Aborigines, refering to the way Aborigines are treated like dogs and thrown in cages (jail) while the whites have more opportunities (fine time for the people in the lucky land).