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.
The rebel of yesterday, tomorrow's fool
Who are you kidding being that cool?
Trying to break away from running
with the pack
But they ain't listening so you've
gotta go back
You're a weekend warrior when
you're one of the crowd
But it's over, just look at you now...
You're not so brave the way you behave
It makes you sick, gotta get out quick
It's all bravado when you're out
with your mates
It's like a different person goes through
those gates
And the game begins
the adrenalin's high
Feel the tension maybe someone
will die...
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you ain't
that way anymore
You've gotta get out gotta get away
But you're in with a clique it's not
easy to stray
You've gotta admit you're just
living a lie
It didn't take long to work out why
It's hard to say why you got involved
Just wanting to be part
just wanting to belong...
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you ain't
that way anymore
Some of the things that you've done
you feel so ashamed
After all it's only a game... isn't it?
And after all the adrenalin's gone
What you gonna do on Monday?
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you were
never like that at all
Who are you kidding being that cool?
Trying to break away from running
with the pack
But they ain't listening so you've
gotta go back
You're a weekend warrior when
you're one of the crowd
But it's over, just look at you now...
You're not so brave the way you behave
It makes you sick, gotta get out quick
It's all bravado when you're out
with your mates
It's like a different person goes through
those gates
And the game begins
the adrenalin's high
Feel the tension maybe someone
will die...
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you ain't
that way anymore
You've gotta get out gotta get away
But you're in with a clique it's not
easy to stray
You've gotta admit you're just
living a lie
It didn't take long to work out why
It's hard to say why you got involved
Just wanting to be part
just wanting to belong...
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you ain't
that way anymore
Some of the things that you've done
you feel so ashamed
After all it's only a game... isn't it?
And after all the adrenalin's gone
What you gonna do on Monday?
A weekend warrior lately
A weekend warrior sometimes
A weekend warrior maybe you were
never like that at all
Lyrics submitted by numb
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This song is definitly one of the best off fear of the dark
working hard to get to the top and getting to the top and then it ends all so fast you dont even know what happened
This song is definitly one of the best off fear of the dark
I first thought it was about someone hanging out with some kind of gang in the weekend and acting different then he normally does, but after seeing Green Street Hooligans, I know that thats what it's really about, awsome song :)
I interpreted as being a song about posers, in Rock N'Roll at least, nevertheless it is yet ANOTHER underrated Iron Maiden song, gotta love The Beast!
An an interview about this song, Steve Harris unfortunately said "it's about football hooligans, or the lack of them these days". I think he meant the lack is a good thing but it cam out wrong, poor Stevie. We know you wouldn't be like that, being a Hammers fan & all!
The SeventhOne, I never thought of it like that but I think you might've hit the nail on the head. Good explanation. Love this song.