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.
Now the contracts out
They've put the word about
I'm coming after you
It's not the money I make
It's the thrill of the chase
And I'm coming after you
I watch your every move
Study the things you do
And the pattern of your ways
I watch the way you walk
I hear your telephone talk
I want to understand the way you think
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Assassin, assassin
Assassin, assassin
Hahahahaha
I'm in a cold-cold sweat
I taste the smell of death
I know the moment's getting closer
And as you walk through the light
I feel my hands going tight
Excitement running through my veins
I've got you in my sights
I've got you dead to rights
The triggers waiting for my finger
I feel adrenalin rush
It's just the final touch
You can kiss your ass goodbye
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Assassin
They've put the word about
I'm coming after you
It's not the money I make
It's the thrill of the chase
And I'm coming after you
I watch your every move
Study the things you do
And the pattern of your ways
I watch the way you walk
I hear your telephone talk
I want to understand the way you think
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Assassin, assassin
Assassin, assassin
Hahahahaha
I'm in a cold-cold sweat
I taste the smell of death
I know the moment's getting closer
And as you walk through the light
I feel my hands going tight
Excitement running through my veins
I've got you in my sights
I've got you dead to rights
The triggers waiting for my finger
I feel adrenalin rush
It's just the final touch
You can kiss your ass goodbye
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, 'cause I'm the assassin
Better watch out, better watch out
Assassin
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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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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
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Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Not sure of the meaning or particualr influence for this song, but ive got to say, as a massive Maiden fan, this to me is one of their poorest efforts. Musically it's alright, but lyrically it just feels very lazy/thrown together and settled with at the last minute. The singing in general is ok, but i feel Bruce could have gone that extra step.
In all honestly the whole No Prayer for the Dying album has a lot lacking - It's a mix of Steve's 'Maiden' songs and Bruce's 'classic rock solo' work. There's no real structure to the album. Some songs are catchy and good overall.. e.g. Tailgunner... that is a typically awesome Iron Maiden song, but in general it's not a great album and the fact that they never play anything off it shows that the band feel the same. Luckily they redeemed themselves with the follow up album Fear of the Dark.