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 don't want to be your friend
I just want to be your lover
No matter how it ends
No matter how it starts
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
And fall off the table
Get swept under
Denial, denial
The infrastructure will collapse
Voltage spikes
Throw your keys in the bowl
Kiss your husband goodnight
And forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Fall off the table
And get swept under
Denial, denial
Denial, denial
(Your ears should be burning)
Denial, denial
(Your ears should be burning)
I just want to be your lover
No matter how it ends
No matter how it starts
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
And fall off the table
Get swept under
Denial, denial
The infrastructure will collapse
Voltage spikes
Throw your keys in the bowl
Kiss your husband goodnight
And forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Forget about your house of cards
And I'll do mine
Fall off the table
And get swept under
Denial, denial
Denial, denial
(Your ears should be burning)
Denial, denial
(Your ears should be burning)
Lyrics submitted by deryk
House of Cards Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Colin Charles Greenwood
Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Bluewater Music Corp., Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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I created an account just to share my thoughts on this beautiful song.
I think this song is about a man who is asking a married woman to run away with him, or at least cheat on her husband with him. At the very beginning of the song, when he says "I don't wanna be your friend, I just wanna be your lover. No matter how it ends, no matter how it starts" he implies that he doesn't care about the crap that this "affair" will get them into, when it "ends."
To me, "forget about your house of cards" means that the man wants the woman to forget about her husband, her marriage, which is weak, and perhaps meaningless, like a house of cards. "Throw your keys in the bowl, kiss your husband goodnight" ... The first part, I believe, is asking her to spend the night at his place with him, instead of driving home to her husband; to make her self at home at his place. The second part is saying that she should act like nothing is wrong and this will be kept secret from her husband.
"The infrastructure will collapse." ( wow this song is awesome )... Again, referring to this house of cards as infrastructure, which WILL collapse; her house of cards (her marriage) WILL fall apart.
"Denial, denial" ........ she may be trying to resist, or DENY, that her marriage is so shaky. She might be in simple denial
Although I'm pretty sure this song is about an affair, I think it is beautiful in that he is saving her from a crappy marriage