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.
There's a war coming down between my brothers tonight
I don't want no war
Going down, going down tonight
Stop this war
Stop this war
Civilization? Ha!
I call it as I see it
I call it bullshit
You know, I still cannot believe it
Our evolution now has gone the way of hate
A world evolved, resolved Into a stupid fate
Stop this war
Stop this war
All so different?
Yeah, I say we're all the same
All caught, you know, in the division game
Self-destruction fast impending like a bullet
No one can stop it
Once it's fired, no one can control it
Stop this war
Stop this war
A final word
Wait, it's not a call to action
We ain't no sect
No, this ain't no fuckin' faction
Unity, unity, unity, you've heard it all before
This time it's not exclusive
We wanna stop the war
Stop this war
Stop this war
Ain't nothing wrong
With another unity song
Ain't nothing wrong
With another unity song
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong with a unity song
Stop this war
Stop this war
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come, right
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
I don't want no war
Going down, going down tonight
Stop this war
Stop this war
Civilization? Ha!
I call it as I see it
I call it bullshit
You know, I still cannot believe it
Our evolution now has gone the way of hate
A world evolved, resolved Into a stupid fate
Stop this war
Stop this war
All so different?
Yeah, I say we're all the same
All caught, you know, in the division game
Self-destruction fast impending like a bullet
No one can stop it
Once it's fired, no one can control it
Stop this war
Stop this war
A final word
Wait, it's not a call to action
We ain't no sect
No, this ain't no fuckin' faction
Unity, unity, unity, you've heard it all before
This time it's not exclusive
We wanna stop the war
Stop this war
Stop this war
Ain't nothing wrong
With another unity song
Ain't nothing wrong
With another unity song
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong
Ain't nothing wrong with a unity song
Stop this war
Stop this war
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come, right
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
Unity
As one, stand together
Unity
Evolution gotta come
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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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Wow, nobody has figured out the real meaning of this song, way to go!
It's about the scene in the East Bay. He was sick of the fighting at shows, and how the scene was divided.
this song is exactly how my friends and i are.... we all feel that the world believes that it is different than reality... and that it needs to just come together....
this song is great...the whole world needs to listen to it to realize how screwed up war is! UNITY all the way!
totally awsome song.. operation ivy are the most amazing band... but has anyone heard anything by jesse's nee band COMMON RIDER? ive been looking for lyrics everywhere but cant find any! oh well.. rock on u guys =)
This song is probably one of op. ivy's best. even my band has done a cover of it! hehe... Some top lyrics for people so young. These guys were only in their teen when this song was out at first.
yeah common rider are pretty schmick too, i found some lyrics to their songs on a fan page, can't remember what it was tho. The common rider stuff is more ska and is pretty good but it ain't got nothing on op iv
to "startinglinechick", i think you missed the meaning behind this song somewhat, while yes i agree with you about how war is really fucked up, and that the countries should solve their matters in peace instead of violence. the "war" jesse is talking about is the war between races(black, white, asian, etc.) not what people normally think of when they hear the word "war" ...... oh by the way, if you like LoC, choking victim, f-minus, and shit like that, the check out NO-CA$H. you'll fucking love'em. go to listen.to/no-cash to hear them
Ya I Totally Agree......this song is about the war of the races..... This song is fucking awesome one of the OPIV's best by far..... It has become a punk rock anthem and for totally good reason. OpIV is the best punk rock band of all time.......and the best band of all time in my opinion for that matter!!!!!!!!!!
i'm not sure if this song has anything specifially about race. i think it's more about just factions and divisions in society (sometimes along race, sometimes along religion, sometimes along other lines). fight the war. opivy rocks!
I AGREE WITH PUNKFAG. THIS IS ABOUT HUMAN TRAGEDY, WAR IS FUCKED. WE SHOULD ALL UNITE. I QUOTE J "MUSIC IS AN INDIRECT FORCE FOR CHANGE, BECAUSE IT PROVIDES AN ANCHOR AGAINST HUMAN TRAGEDY. IN THIS SENSE, IT WORKS TOWARDS A RECONCILED WORLD."