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.
On the one they'll catch ya
If you skirt disaster.
On the day they told her
but she want stay stay.
On they saw ya
Witnesses of goya.
Elected to serve ya
Til your dying day.
I hope you don't get what your after.
To whom it may concern
I'm writing of behalf of a brother
Twiced burned
I know
Just a product of your mind.
But when you continue
To let loose on a runnin man.
You send him crashing to the edge of the pavement
You're doing something you don't quite understand
Makin' like he's a lesser man.
In your
Gunship Gunship Gunship Politico.
I hope you don't get what your after.
I know
Just a product of your mind
... Off to the commisioner as fast as you can
With your smoking gun in hand.
Six men on their knees Eye's shinin in the
Highbeams of the search light
Cop's shadows on the wall, several stories tall
Instilling whoa such a fright
One's kicked in the gut, He's all cut up by the corner cop.
One stands in defense in a broken sentence
Ask not to be shot
If you please
Men of authority
We do not speak your language see
Please act accordingly.
He wasn't beggin
He was just keeping time with his cup
You go on and believe that
You keep your eyes straight up
I was just looking
I had no intention to touch
But I know when I'm not welcome
So I thank you very much.
See A, See A, see the women there demonstrate
See A, See A, see them know but they will not say
See A, See A, see them set the trial date
See A, See A, see the confidence on the DA's face.
Watch out for the politicos
Don't mess mess with the down downpressure way
They got it down pat, they got it down to a Tee
No one gets through the lockstep jaw.
You aint guilty but you did get caught.
So lack for a better suspect we nominate you.
To ride this one out to see this one through.
See A, See A,
Arms thrown up in a ever fearful protest
As the firing squad would ever think to notice
As if you could summon the likes of moses
To put blood back in his friends veins.
And if your one step faster
you can skirt disaster
But if it's not you, it'll be the next guy
Who's the wrong color at the wrong time.
Another days over and the discision still stands
His honor in his chambers still washin' his hands
You know he's been fiddlin in his room all day
Just trying to wash all his conscience away.
No one's asking for hangman's tree
They just looking for something true to believe
See A, See A
See them know but will not say.
He wasn't beggin...
If you skirt disaster.
On the day they told her
but she want stay stay.
On they saw ya
Witnesses of goya.
Elected to serve ya
Til your dying day.
I hope you don't get what your after.
To whom it may concern
I'm writing of behalf of a brother
Twiced burned
I know
Just a product of your mind.
But when you continue
To let loose on a runnin man.
You send him crashing to the edge of the pavement
You're doing something you don't quite understand
Makin' like he's a lesser man.
In your
Gunship Gunship Gunship Politico.
I hope you don't get what your after.
I know
Just a product of your mind
... Off to the commisioner as fast as you can
With your smoking gun in hand.
Six men on their knees Eye's shinin in the
Highbeams of the search light
Cop's shadows on the wall, several stories tall
Instilling whoa such a fright
One's kicked in the gut, He's all cut up by the corner cop.
One stands in defense in a broken sentence
Ask not to be shot
If you please
Men of authority
We do not speak your language see
Please act accordingly.
He wasn't beggin
He was just keeping time with his cup
You go on and believe that
You keep your eyes straight up
I was just looking
I had no intention to touch
But I know when I'm not welcome
So I thank you very much.
See A, See A, see the women there demonstrate
See A, See A, see them know but they will not say
See A, See A, see them set the trial date
See A, See A, see the confidence on the DA's face.
Watch out for the politicos
Don't mess mess with the down downpressure way
They got it down pat, they got it down to a Tee
No one gets through the lockstep jaw.
You aint guilty but you did get caught.
So lack for a better suspect we nominate you.
To ride this one out to see this one through.
See A, See A,
Arms thrown up in a ever fearful protest
As the firing squad would ever think to notice
As if you could summon the likes of moses
To put blood back in his friends veins.
And if your one step faster
you can skirt disaster
But if it's not you, it'll be the next guy
Who's the wrong color at the wrong time.
Another days over and the discision still stands
His honor in his chambers still washin' his hands
You know he's been fiddlin in his room all day
Just trying to wash all his conscience away.
No one's asking for hangman's tree
They just looking for something true to believe
See A, See A
See them know but will not say.
He wasn't beggin...
Lyrics submitted by shaynew216
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
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 was just looking I had no intention to touch But I know when I'm not welcome So I thank you very much."
That part is referencing someone being profiled against, whether racially or whatever other reason, while shopping in a store...