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.
Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
I knew a lady who lived in Duluth
She got bit by a dog with a rabid tooth
She went to her grave a little too soon
And she flew away howling at the yellow moon
Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
Now the people cry and the people moan
And they look for a dry place to call their home
And try to find someplace to rest their bones
While the angels and the devils fight to claim them for their own
Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
I knew a lady who lived in Duluth
She got bit by a dog with a rabid tooth
She went to her grave a little too soon
And she flew away howling at the yellow moon
Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
Now the people cry and the people moan
And they look for a dry place to call their home
And try to find someplace to rest their bones
While the angels and the devils fight to claim them for their own
Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July
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It sounds kinda like what a child would say about the world of christinanity(however you spell it) like cobra said. I think this was an excellent tool in writing the song. They showed a very judgmental world through the eyes of innocence. That's probably why the chorus starts out with "Where to bad folks go when they die?" It sounds like a question that a kid would ask their parents. And instead of saying "sinners" or the like, they use "bad folk" just the kind of almost improper english that a little kid would use.
Nirvana covered this song live with Curt from The Meat Puppets. This is a great song.
Nirvana didn't cover Lake Of Fire as such, since both Cris and Curt Kirkwood were there at Unplugged in new york. I i don't THINK nirvana actually played any of it. Great song though. I LOVE THE MEAT PUPPETS
Nirvana didn't really cover it as such, since both Chris and Curt Kirkwood (2 of the 3 meatpuppets members) were at 'unplugged in new york' and i don't think nirvana were actually playing it. Still the meat puppets rule! Its fairly obvious what this is all about, heaven and hell and all that...
But it was Kurt singing, right? Cobain I mean. I thought Nirvana did play along with Chris and Curt... anyway I think the song is mocking Christians, saying they try and scare people with tales of heaven and hell. Saying "Bad folks" shows the normal misconception of the Christian message, and the second verse is about people getting worked up about something that the writer obviously doesn't believe in, "the angels and the devils fighting to make them their own".
But it was Kurt singing, right? Cobain I mean. I thought Nirvana did play along with Chris and Curt... anyway I think the song is mocking Christians, saying they try and scare people with tales of heaven and hell. Saying "Bad folks" shows the normal misconception of the Christian message, and the second verse is about people getting worked up about something that the writer obviously doesn't believe in, "the angels and the devils fighting to make them their own".
yeah im pretty sure the two bands did this together, or representatives from the two bands at least. dave grohl was definitly on drums, kurt definitly sang it, and i even think krist picked up a guitar. that unplugged album is amazing - the meat puppets songs are highlights - kurt chose his covers so well.
I like Kurts voice better
Alright folks, I watched the entire performance last night on TV. Cris and Curt Kirkwood were both playing (bass,guitar) , and if you think Curts voice sucks bad you just don't get it, or you haven't heard enough Puppets. atthedrive I agree about the choice of covers. With the lights out also has great covers. Anyway it sounds like the thoughts of a child, some sort of fantastic version of how things might be.
i love Nirvana so natrually i love anything that they do i love this cover!!!