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.
Yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no,
where are we, where are we now?
Where are we, where are we now?
Old woman, have you seen your better days,
are you feelin' so alone,
well, the times they all have changed,
forgotten,
hungry and cold,
veteran, are you satisfied with life,
are you sleepin' on concrete,
are you forgotten and alone,
poor, homeless in this country,
where are we, where are we now?
Where are we, where are we now?
Hey senior, have you been taken past your prime,
have you been taken advantage of,
are you forgotten,
tired and poor by the ones you've voted for,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind
The slavery of poverty,
no one should be hungry in this country,
enough to feed,
to medicate,
to clothe the backs and housin' for families,
the cuts in care and Medicaid leads me believe our government just doesn't care,
we send our aid,
our misspent funds,
Americans hungry livin' in the gutter
The cuts in care and Medicaid leads me believe our government just doesn't care,
we send our aid,
our misspent funds,
Americans hungry livin' in the gutter
Where are we, where are we now? (2x)
Yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind
(Yeah yeah yeah) (3x)
(Yeah yeah)
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no,
where are we, where are we now?
Where are we, where are we now?
Old woman, have you seen your better days,
are you feelin' so alone,
well, the times they all have changed,
forgotten,
hungry and cold,
veteran, are you satisfied with life,
are you sleepin' on concrete,
are you forgotten and alone,
poor, homeless in this country,
where are we, where are we now?
Where are we, where are we now?
Hey senior, have you been taken past your prime,
have you been taken advantage of,
are you forgotten,
tired and poor by the ones you've voted for,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind
The slavery of poverty,
no one should be hungry in this country,
enough to feed,
to medicate,
to clothe the backs and housin' for families,
the cuts in care and Medicaid leads me believe our government just doesn't care,
we send our aid,
our misspent funds,
Americans hungry livin' in the gutter
The cuts in care and Medicaid leads me believe our government just doesn't care,
we send our aid,
our misspent funds,
Americans hungry livin' in the gutter
Where are we, where are we now? (2x)
Yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind,
yeah, you're abandoned,
so sorry, you're just a waste of their time,
yeah, you've been lied to once again,
yeah, well, they've paid you no mind
(Yeah yeah yeah) (3x)
(Yeah yeah)
Lyrics submitted by MikeSavesTheDay101
Veteran Lyrics as written by Brian Balchack Craig Anderson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
ignite on their best!this was the song that make me be their long time fan.bout the music i dont agree that its is blaming the youth of not respecting the elder people.i think that what they mean is the that the goverment doesnt give a shit about the pour people.but it isnt only in the us.its allover the world.shame on that