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.
What's wrong with everyone? There's a panic in their eyes
Like others getting close are aliens, in disguise
They smell conspiracy on the lips of dearest friends
Reminds me of a time long ago, They think it's the end
Of what we all created, used to love but now we hate it
Life is as simple as the mind it lives in
The truth is a waste of time, when we're conditioned to understand
Lies are the right was as we watch the blind leading the blind
Everything that we see is another's suffering
Learn to enjoy the message the TV is delivering
You're safe being the glass like being at the zoo
The face of guilty thoughts turns around and looks just like you
Don't want be another, victim but you watch them suffer
Organized, de-sensitized and trained
To wake up at 6 AM, go to work come home and in bed by ten
When the feeling is safe and warm
Horrified by any change, living by consensus destroys us
Paints pretty pictures at the same time will do us more harm
Like others getting close are aliens, in disguise
They smell conspiracy on the lips of dearest friends
Reminds me of a time long ago, They think it's the end
Of what we all created, used to love but now we hate it
Life is as simple as the mind it lives in
The truth is a waste of time, when we're conditioned to understand
Lies are the right was as we watch the blind leading the blind
Everything that we see is another's suffering
Learn to enjoy the message the TV is delivering
You're safe being the glass like being at the zoo
The face of guilty thoughts turns around and looks just like you
Don't want be another, victim but you watch them suffer
Organized, de-sensitized and trained
To wake up at 6 AM, go to work come home and in bed by ten
When the feeling is safe and warm
Horrified by any change, living by consensus destroys us
Paints pretty pictures at the same time will do us more harm
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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i think this song is about dishonesty and deceit.but what do i know!
i like this song a lot, and i never could figure out who it was by... yay songmeanings...
I'm not a huge NUFAN fan. but I really like this song
i really like this song, as i do all no use songs. i cant relate to the lyrics much, but it's awesome
It's about how how society works. The persona of the writer is saying how even though we see hunger, poverty and crime on TV news every day, we are desensitised to the violence and that "you're safe behind the glass like being at the zoo." And you may gawk at the derros on TV or sympathise with them, but no one ever does anything about it, "don't want to be another victim but you'll watch them suffer." It is more comfortable to "paint pretty pictures" and gloss over all the bad things in the world as we are "conditioned to understand that lies are the right way" even though this form of self censorship "will do us more harm."
Then there's the cycle of life, how everything just seems to repeat itself. "To wake up at 6 AM, go to work come home and in bed by ten where the feeling is safe and warm" And everyone does that, it's conformity and "consensus"
But then, if we don't think this much then life is simple, as simple as we make it.
this song is very impressive. without any doubt the best song I've ever heard from no use for a name, and probably the best song I've ever discovered. the whole song in its entirety is amazing. both lyrics and music is totally groundbreaking. the lyrics is about almost everything. I think it's much about how we take everything for granted, and how this society works, and how less we all do care. "everything that we see is anothers suffering" is very true. it explains very well how we in some way learn to enjoy the violence and hunger we see on tv. it's also, as already mentioned, about how everything seems to repeat itself. wake up at 6am, go to work and then go home for sleep. the lyrics mixed with this kind of music makes it to one of my personal favourites.
anyone knows why there is a phone ringing after this song? is it because of room 19? i just cant figure it out
amazing song, this song alone got me hooked on NUFAN
I think that the writer starts of by talking abouthow society has created fear in everyone one of us. That we see other as "Aliens in Disguise." It goes on to show that society is bombarded with images of suffering and hate and hunger, and that we have began to accept these terrible image. Hence the title "Saddest Song." It truely is a sad day when we as a people can see these images and almost get a sense of enjoyment out of them. Of course, no one wants to face these issues personaly but as long as one is "behind the glass" and safe, then they dont seem to mind
I like this song..yay!