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.
Mental blindfolds on
Early on the fascination intense
How to discern just where right belongs
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to see
There is no need for you to start revolutions
I don't want you to talk to the minions
Just show me a brand new face
An open mind against a dying race
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to hear
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to feel
Cannot fail in this the era of losers
Burnt the shell of those that once held the torches
Cannot give you the senses anew
Nor will you know innocence again
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to know
In time all your questions will be answered
Not what you hoped for, not what you dreamed
All preconceptions crumble
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to learn
Won't hold up to the standards you keep
Never came from the formative years
Just show me a brand new mind
Keep in what you left behind
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to be
Early on the fascination intense
How to discern just where right belongs
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to see
There is no need for you to start revolutions
I don't want you to talk to the minions
Just show me a brand new face
An open mind against a dying race
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to hear
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to feel
Cannot fail in this the era of losers
Burnt the shell of those that once held the torches
Cannot give you the senses anew
Nor will you know innocence again
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to know
In time all your questions will be answered
Not what you hoped for, not what you dreamed
All preconceptions crumble
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to learn
Won't hold up to the standards you keep
Never came from the formative years
Just show me a brand new mind
Keep in what you left behind
Something has got to give
These things I just don't want you to be
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
To me the song seems to be about wanting to start over, rebooting one's mind. "Format C:" is what you do when you want to reformat your computer and the majority of people use "C" to represent the HDD. It maybe a stretch but thats just my interpretation
I think this song is about the upbringing of a child, and trying to gove it good morals even though the reality is far from what it should be, according to the upbringing... Just my thoughs
This song seems to me to be about resisting brainwashing, especially from society. This comes out in the verses
There is no need for you to start revolutions I don't want you to talk to the minions Just show me a brand new face an open mind against a dying race
and
In time all your questions will be answered Not what you hoped for, not what you dreamed All preconceptions crumble
This is particularly supported by the title; see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_formatting
Additionally confirming Ddadutta's comment: Stanne whispers (though loudly) "Format C: for Cortex" around 3:39-3:45.
Currently, this is my second favorite song by DT, "Insanity's Crescendo". I love the piano solo in the middle of the song that builds into the passionate declaration:
"In time all your questions will be answered Not what you hoped for, not what you dreamed"
There is an obvious theme of repression told from the viewpoint of the oppressor. The tone of the song makes me think of it in terms of a science fiction piece.
cortex is a part of the brain. format c maybe means a format that all brains are "formatted" in, we are adapted to this community and we have polished away the things that makes us special and individual .
for me this song is about searching for a person ...a person that hasnt "formatted" his or hers brain, that are unique and individual. someone that differs from the masses. someone to love. somethings got to give...there must be someone. Just show me a brand new face an open mind against a dying race that is about the longin for someone who dares to be open and look away from the normal, accepted way to be.
brilliant song.
reminds me of in flames lyrics format C: for cortex i agree about reformatting humans
Just show me a brand new face an open mind against a dying race
reminds me of in flames style we're a dying race ruining ourselves/theworld and need to restart or format
I agree with soulrapist, could be a child, if the writer has one, if not, it could be anybody he cares about.
I'm quite Sure it's "These things I used to want you to see\hear\feel\know\be"
It can be for a child, or his own new self, or anybody... the most important part is this: " There is no need for you to start revolutions I don't want you to talk to the minions Just show me a brand new face And open mind against a dying race " (imho "And" sounds more logical in the last line than "An") I think the message is clear(one of the few DT song which have any specific message) Eckart Tolle's words come to mind:
" Remember: Just as you cannot fight the darkness, so you cannot fight unconsciousness. If you try to do so, the polar opposites will become strengthened and more deeply entrenched. You will become identified with one of the polarities, you will create an "enemy," and so be drawn into unconsciousness yourself. Raise awareness by disseminating information, or at the most, practice passive resistance. But make sure that you carry no resistance within, no hatred, no negativity. "
I think the song is about watching somebody becoming jaded. This person is being exposed to negative things, and it changes them. In the end of the song, the narrator pleas with this person:
"Just show me a brand new mind Keep in what you left behind
Something has got to give These things I just don't want you to be"
This seems to be asking the subject of the song not to let the negative aspects of life change him for the worse. 'Keep in what you left behind,' makes me think of somebody who gave something to people, whether happiness or hope, or whatever, but is losing it in himself. 'These things I just don't want you to be,' is the narrator telling the subject that he doesn't want him to change into the things that he's seen, heard, learned, etc.