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.
There rides the rainbow demon
On his horse of crimson fire
Black shadows are following closely
On the heels of his desire
Ridin' on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow demon
Pick up your heart and run
Rainbow demon
Lives for his sword and his gun
On his horse of crimson fire
Black shadows are following closely
On the heels of his desire
Ridin' on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow demon
Pick up your heart and run
Rainbow demon
Lives for his sword and his gun
Lyrics submitted by RainbowDemon
Rainbow Demon Lyrics as written by Ken Hensley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The Rainbow Demon could be our desires and obsessions. If we don't keep them in check, they can take over us. Being on drugs would be a good example. Being in the rock and roll world, the band would know exactly what it is like. The managers and producers (the "black shawdows are following closely") would be the people who profit off the band by getting them hooked on drugs and then living off their fame. But people who live off rock stars like that have no heart ("pick up your heart and run").
Awesome song, used to listen to it in school alot, it's like no one knows uriah heep
Also a song by the Swedish Folk/Black Metal band Vintersorg, for anyone interested. I take it that Vintesorg covered Uriah Heep, but I dont know the specifics. Incredible (albeit mysterious) song on both versions.
This is indeed a good song. Very heavy and dark for the early 70'.
I love this song, it's a very dark song for Uriah Heep. I'm not sure if there's a deeper meaning to it, like The Nomad from Iron Maiden had, but this song is savagely awesome.