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.
Who the fuck are you?
Slaves to the system there's no way out
Slaves to the system do you have a shout
You've got to beat the bastards and beat 'em now
Sick of policies putting me down
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Just out of school don't have a clue
No income support for you
Can't get a job don't get a chance
Sick of politics leaving you out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Money, money power and strength
Teenage kids with not to spend
Hungry homeless who gives a shit
Sick of policies leaving me out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
You've got to beat the bastards, beat the bastards,
Beat the bastards, you've got to beat the bastards,
Beat the bastards, you've got to beat the bastards,
You've got to beat the bastards,
You've got to beat the bastards, beat the bastards
Slaves to the system there's no way out
Slaves to the system do you have a shout
You've got to beat the bastards and beat 'em now
Sick of policies leaving you out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Slaves to the system there's no way out
Slaves to the system do you have a shout
You've got to beat the bastards and beat 'em now
Sick of policies putting me down
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Just out of school don't have a clue
No income support for you
Can't get a job don't get a chance
Sick of politics leaving you out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Money, money power and strength
Teenage kids with not to spend
Hungry homeless who gives a shit
Sick of policies leaving me out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
You've got to beat the bastards, beat the bastards,
Beat the bastards, you've got to beat the bastards,
Beat the bastards, you've got to beat the bastards,
You've got to beat the bastards,
You've got to beat the bastards, beat the bastards
Slaves to the system there's no way out
Slaves to the system do you have a shout
You've got to beat the bastards and beat 'em now
Sick of policies leaving you out
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Beat the bastards, beat them now
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Slaves to the system theres no way out Slaves to the system do you have a shout Youve got to beat the bastards and beat em now Sick of policies puting me down Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now Just out of school dont have a clue No income support for you Cant get a job dont get a chance Sick of politics leaving you out Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now Money power and streight Teenage kids with nowt to spend Hungry homeless who gives a shit Sick of policies leaving me out Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now Beat the bastards, beat them now