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.
I can't be compromising in my thoughts no more
I can't prevent the times my anger fills my heart
I can't be sympathizing with a new lost cause
I feel I've lost my patience with the world and all
And all the politicians and their hollow promises
And all the lies, deceit and shame that goes with it
The working man pays everything for their mistakes
And with his life too if there was to be a war
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only get one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
A life of petty crime gets punished with a holiday
The victims' mind are scarred for life most everyday
Assailants know just how much further they can go
They know the laws are soft, conviction chances low
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only get one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
You can't protect yourselves, even in your own home
For fear of vigilante cries, the victims wipe their eyes
So now the criminals, they laugh right in our face
Judicial system lets them do it, a disgrace
Despondent public worries, where it all will end?
We can't protect ourselves, our kids from crime, the trend
We cannot warn each other of evil in our midst
They have more rights than us, you cannot call that just
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only got one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
I can't prevent the times my anger fills my heart
I can't be sympathizing with a new lost cause
I feel I've lost my patience with the world and all
And all the politicians and their hollow promises
And all the lies, deceit and shame that goes with it
The working man pays everything for their mistakes
And with his life too if there was to be a war
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only get one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
A life of petty crime gets punished with a holiday
The victims' mind are scarred for life most everyday
Assailants know just how much further they can go
They know the laws are soft, conviction chances low
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only get one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
You can't protect yourselves, even in your own home
For fear of vigilante cries, the victims wipe their eyes
So now the criminals, they laugh right in our face
Judicial system lets them do it, a disgrace
Despondent public worries, where it all will end?
We can't protect ourselves, our kids from crime, the trend
We cannot warn each other of evil in our midst
They have more rights than us, you cannot call that just
So we can only get one chance, can we take it?
And we only got one life, can't exchange it
Can we hold on to what we have? Don't replace it
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
The age of innocence is fading like an old dream
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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.
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My mom works in the prisons making sure the inmates behave. they get big screen tvs video game consoles, they get an education a COLLEGE education for that matter. and all this is being paid for by the taxpayers. and they still bitch and complain. I love this song cus its just so honest.