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.
Dear Alex and Marilyn
They're Lovey and Thurston howellin'
The grasshopper unit is prowellin'
And Rufus is back home growellin'
For all of y'all that are dozin'
On Hornblower's lederhosen
Like Walt Disney he'll be frozen
And then the Swiss Hall of Fame he goes in
Cause when he's out in space carousin'
Pick up my mic and start joustin'
My name plate medallion
Says never trust a Hal 9000
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Check the horizontal hold and check the tint
Are these three fools back at it again?
Inspector Clouseau and Derek Flint
Nothin' but sparks ignitin'
Check two one two mic testin'
This one goes out to Dechen
Rise fallen fighters take your stance again
Don't think too much about the color of skin
Order in vegetarian' shark's fin
Try to keep my life non-violent
Mario, rewind the tape and "punch me in!"
Like Chuck D with the where you never been I'm in
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Ooh my my I'm really not feeling it
Ooh my my something's really wrong
Ooh my my I'm really not feeling it
Ooh my my something's really wrong
The PA sound is deafenin'
Bitin' MCs I'm oustinin'
With spinach in your teeth you're grinnin'
So on your way out please take a mint
Got the studio to throw a craze in
The basslines Yauch just lays in
This song is the grass you're grazin'
Add a little flange and phase in
Don't get mad 'cause I'm beguilin'
I'm off the hook so don't bother dialin'
They're gonna put me in the B-I-N
And if I die notify the next of kin
It's like that y'all
They're Lovey and Thurston howellin'
The grasshopper unit is prowellin'
And Rufus is back home growellin'
For all of y'all that are dozin'
On Hornblower's lederhosen
Like Walt Disney he'll be frozen
And then the Swiss Hall of Fame he goes in
Cause when he's out in space carousin'
Pick up my mic and start joustin'
My name plate medallion
Says never trust a Hal 9000
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Check the horizontal hold and check the tint
Are these three fools back at it again?
Inspector Clouseau and Derek Flint
Nothin' but sparks ignitin'
Check two one two mic testin'
This one goes out to Dechen
Rise fallen fighters take your stance again
Don't think too much about the color of skin
Order in vegetarian' shark's fin
Try to keep my life non-violent
Mario, rewind the tape and "punch me in!"
Like Chuck D with the where you never been I'm in
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Cause you can't, won't, don't
Ooh my my I'm really not feeling it
Ooh my my something's really wrong
Ooh my my I'm really not feeling it
Ooh my my something's really wrong
The PA sound is deafenin'
Bitin' MCs I'm oustinin'
With spinach in your teeth you're grinnin'
So on your way out please take a mint
Got the studio to throw a craze in
The basslines Yauch just lays in
This song is the grass you're grazin'
Add a little flange and phase in
Don't get mad 'cause I'm beguilin'
I'm off the hook so don't bother dialin'
They're gonna put me in the B-I-N
And if I die notify the next of kin
It's like that y'all
Lyrics submitted by The Marine
The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin') Lyrics as written by Adam Nathaniel Yauch Adam Horovitz
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I think this song is quite awesome. It's got Biz Markie at the beginning & the end doing the beat box! It's got lots of cool sound effects & Yauch on stand up bass! What more could you want? I say listen to it again- this time with headphones! If you still don't think it's awesome, consult a physician immediately! You might be dead.