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.
First in last out overthrown
It's been picked clean to the bone
And so hard to remember things
Like when we used to kill our kings
Crusading for hypocrisy
Under our nose the holy bleed
Crumbling under its own weight
Apologies if you relate
'Cause
You cannot kill
What doesn't die
Live up to my promise
My full potential realized
Death lives right inside your pocket
Take him out and have a laugh
Go and piss your life away
Another ugly waste of clay
And up above there's no one home
Why don't you answer your phone?
Reminding me to learn that poem
First in last out overthrown
Because
A stream of consciousness flows into a river of blood
Stem this tide of violence
As it rises like a flood
It's been picked clean to the bone
And so hard to remember things
Like when we used to kill our kings
Crusading for hypocrisy
Under our nose the holy bleed
Crumbling under its own weight
Apologies if you relate
'Cause
You cannot kill
What doesn't die
Live up to my promise
My full potential realized
Death lives right inside your pocket
Take him out and have a laugh
Go and piss your life away
Another ugly waste of clay
And up above there's no one home
Why don't you answer your phone?
Reminding me to learn that poem
First in last out overthrown
Because
A stream of consciousness flows into a river of blood
Stem this tide of violence
As it rises like a flood
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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.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
"A stream of consciousness flows into a river of blood Stem this tide of violence as it rises like a flood"
These lines would have me believe this song has something to with a mental condition causing random outbursts of anger that cannot be controlled.
I'm sure there's a great deal more to this song, though.
Some refrences to medieval times I see... I have no idea what it's about but this is one of Anthrax's best songs for sure.
not sure what this one is about. but since they wrote a song about judge dredd, could it be in part inspired by the judge dredd comics character judge death who's slogan is "you cannot kill what does not live"?
3 comments? you're kidding me! this is what got me into Anthrax along with bring tha noise.
This song fricken rocks. It is just so slamming.
This song fricken rocks. It is just so slamming.
My interpretation of the song is that it's about terrorism and the war on terror. You can't kill terror. GWAR said so.
ZOMBIES!!!!!!
Well that's what is in the film clip anyway.
"And so hard to remember things Like when we used to kill our kings"
Always pops in my head every time I see news about some white collar criminal. The lyric gives me a satisfying feeling that no matter what, we could hold those in power accountable for their decisions… at least in the past that is. To me the song has to do with politics, the culture of unaccountability it fosters, and the direct action we are still capable of.