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.
Believe in me, send no money
I died on the cross and that ain't funny
But my so called friends they're making me a joke
They missed out what I said like I never spoke
They choose what they want to hear, they don't tell a lie
They just leave out the truth as they're watching you die
They're saving your souls by taking your money
Flies around shit, bees around honey
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Making holy smoke
Jimmy Reptile and all his friends
Say they gonna be with you at the end
Burning records burning books
Holy soldiers Nazi looks
Crocodile smiles just wait a while
'Til the TV queen gets her make-up clean
I've lived in filth I've lived in sin
And I still smell cleaner than the shit you're in
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke
Smells good
They ain't religious but they ain't no fools
When Noah built his Cadillac it was cool
Two by two they're still going down
And the satellite circus just left town
I think they're strange and when they're dead
They can have a Lincoln for their bed
Friend of the president trick of the tail
Now they ain't got a prayer a hundred years in jail
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke
I died on the cross and that ain't funny
But my so called friends they're making me a joke
They missed out what I said like I never spoke
They choose what they want to hear, they don't tell a lie
They just leave out the truth as they're watching you die
They're saving your souls by taking your money
Flies around shit, bees around honey
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Making holy smoke
Jimmy Reptile and all his friends
Say they gonna be with you at the end
Burning records burning books
Holy soldiers Nazi looks
Crocodile smiles just wait a while
'Til the TV queen gets her make-up clean
I've lived in filth I've lived in sin
And I still smell cleaner than the shit you're in
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke
Smells good
They ain't religious but they ain't no fools
When Noah built his Cadillac it was cool
Two by two they're still going down
And the satellite circus just left town
I think they're strange and when they're dead
They can have a Lincoln for their bed
Friend of the president trick of the tail
Now they ain't got a prayer a hundred years in jail
Holy smoke holy smoke, plenty bad preachers for the devil to stoke
Feed 'em in feet first, this is no joke
This is thirsty work, making holy smoke, yeah
Holy smoke
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Cpt. Yossarian you prick. Hope the jews kick muslim ass all over the fucking place. With that out of the way...
I consider myself to be a (somewhat) religious person, and a conservative. I love Iron Maiden and I love this song. It's not like the only corrupt tv preachers are on the far right. I hate those "send money and you will be saved" evangelists. That just sickening.
PS. Something that makes this song so much better, is that at a church I used to go to, the preacher would make the ushers repass the offering plates around if enough money didn't come in. A few months later he drove to church in a blue cadillac bought with offering money..
@Luke50001 what a total bitch