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 found some peace today, I grit my teeth
And swallow all of my pain
And selfish pride, I used to hide behind
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
Flames of pain stained paint my eyes
Child I've lost this face won't lie
Time burns my souls decay gray
Sifting through the smoke and lies
Swimming exhale love that's died
The first and last ain't ever the same
So I'll keep on singing this
I don't care if your right or if I'm always wrong
Just want to sing my song before this whole world
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and a cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
Now and forever I stand to sever all ties and connections
To recollections of pain and fear
Family society authority and ever peer
Swallowing tears line my stomach
I'm getting freer every second corroding and exploding
All these corporate deceptions I'm out
Mental prison bars block our minds
Youths truth sold and televised
I never bought it and I won't play your game's for fame
Are we just rats in a pipers tune soothed
Scrappin' for cheese in a maze made to loose
I know I'm not and I won't eat your food, subdued
I don't care if your right or if I'm always wrong
Just want to sing my song before this whole world's
Gone
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and a cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
I'm out
And swallow all of my pain
And selfish pride, I used to hide behind
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
Flames of pain stained paint my eyes
Child I've lost this face won't lie
Time burns my souls decay gray
Sifting through the smoke and lies
Swimming exhale love that's died
The first and last ain't ever the same
So I'll keep on singing this
I don't care if your right or if I'm always wrong
Just want to sing my song before this whole world
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and a cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
Now and forever I stand to sever all ties and connections
To recollections of pain and fear
Family society authority and ever peer
Swallowing tears line my stomach
I'm getting freer every second corroding and exploding
All these corporate deceptions I'm out
Mental prison bars block our minds
Youths truth sold and televised
I never bought it and I won't play your game's for fame
Are we just rats in a pipers tune soothed
Scrappin' for cheese in a maze made to loose
I know I'm not and I won't eat your food, subdued
I don't care if your right or if I'm always wrong
Just want to sing my song before this whole world's
Gone
Let me out let me out I'm singing
Let me out let me out I'm singing
I'm a liar and a cheat in prison
Accused of telling the truth
I'm out
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I looked everywhere for the right lyrics. I couldn't find what's supposed to be where the question marks are... sorry
"exploding corporatus that's here right now." "Are we all just rats in a maze made to lose, no I'm not..."
Awesome song, love the band. I like his voice...don't know, it's kinda got a Kurt Cobain-esque raspy scream in it.
Are we just rats in a bothersome zoo, scraping for cheese in a maze made to lose
hmm, still some differences of opinion in the lyrics. but yeah, awesome band, I like his voice too...wonder if they're CD's any good. anyone have it or heard anything?
I heard clips from it on their website. it sounds really good. I'm too poor to actually go buy it now though.
WHAT'S NEXT I NEED MORE
This band kicks ass, intelligent lyrics with a mature rock voice. I bought the CD the day it came out. Excellent album, go get it.
I finally got it...and I'm glad I did. very good.
i love it, who are these guys ? whats their album called ?
Future Leaders of the World, and their album's LVL IV =P. Just to let you know...
Some lyrical corrections (always got 'em, it seems, and half the time I'm wrong, so please mention it if so)
Flames of pain stained paint my eyes Child I've lost this face won't lie Time burns my souls decay gray Sifting through the smoke and lies Swimming exhale love that's died
Family, society, authority and every peer Swallowing tears lining my stomach I'm getting freer every second corroding and exploding All these corporate deceptions and I'm out
Mental prison bars block our minds Youth's truth sold and televised I never bought it and I won't play your games, for fame Are we just rats in a pipers tune Scrappin' for cheese in a maze made to lose I know I'm not and I won't eat your food, subdued I don't care if your right and if I'm always wrong Just wanna sing my song before this whole world's Gone...
Love the band, I wish I could've seen their whole set live... I missed it, got to the venue for the last song and a half (damn doors opening early...). Love the lyrics, wish someone in the band could clarify things for us.
wow. we're a lot alike. i LOVE them!!!!!