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.
Yeah
Uh-huh
Yeah
That's right
Gotta get off the phone, bust this verse
Aight
Okay
I'm anti-imperial
Anti-trust
Anti-gun if the shit won't bust
Anti-corporate, they anti-my essence
Anti-snortin' them anti-depressants
But I'm not pro-poppin' em
I'm provocative
And pro-stoppin' them FBI operatives
Who professional at Black Man Pounce
And hand you a sentence that you can't pronounce
I'm also anti-narco, anti-vice
911 marks the anti-christ
They anti-social, pointin' M-16's
Guess I'm anti-the-anti-nigger-machine
Proletarian, funkadelicparliamentarian
Pro-revolt-in-the-21st-centurian
Pro-running up in Congress sayin' "fuck it all!"
But bring the people with you, that's the protocol
This beat is joyful like jailbreaks
The whole world is anti-United Snakes
So check it out, anticipate the anti-venom
And move your antibodies to this revolution rhythm
We goin' be fuckin' with 'em
Pro-union but most lost they bite
Anti-muthafuckas-crossin' a strike
Take a look around and be for or against
But you can't do shit if you ridin' the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
I'm anti-uppin'-your-dollars-with-telekinesis
(I done tried everyday, and that shit decreases)
Anti-them-anti-crime-bill-pieces
We need cash and that's the anti-thesis
I'm pro-overthrow of the "Hip-Hop Nation"
Pro-layin'-low-til-I'm-off-probation
Pro-people's-control-of-the-cash-and-corporations
Pro-prophylactic yet pro-creation
Anti-watered-down-drinks-in-fancy-cups
Anti-promoters-who-don't-ante-up
But I'm not anti-thug
I know that power is the most effective anti-drug
I'm pro-Zapatista
Pro-Cuba
Viva!
Pro-la raza sayin' "fuck la migra!"
Policia se asesina
Lemme show you what I mean
I'm anti-republican and democratic
If they self-destruct
That's anti-climactic
Tired of bein' hunted like an antelope
Take the system by the throat
That's the antidote
So I pose a proposition
Take a look, be in support or opposition
Then be proactive proceed with confidence
'Cause you know that you can't change shit by ridin' the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
Uh-huh
Yeah
That's right
Gotta get off the phone, bust this verse
Aight
Okay
I'm anti-imperial
Anti-trust
Anti-gun if the shit won't bust
Anti-corporate, they anti-my essence
Anti-snortin' them anti-depressants
But I'm not pro-poppin' em
I'm provocative
And pro-stoppin' them FBI operatives
Who professional at Black Man Pounce
And hand you a sentence that you can't pronounce
I'm also anti-narco, anti-vice
911 marks the anti-christ
They anti-social, pointin' M-16's
Guess I'm anti-the-anti-nigger-machine
Proletarian, funkadelicparliamentarian
Pro-revolt-in-the-21st-centurian
Pro-running up in Congress sayin' "fuck it all!"
But bring the people with you, that's the protocol
This beat is joyful like jailbreaks
The whole world is anti-United Snakes
So check it out, anticipate the anti-venom
And move your antibodies to this revolution rhythm
We goin' be fuckin' with 'em
Pro-union but most lost they bite
Anti-muthafuckas-crossin' a strike
Take a look around and be for or against
But you can't do shit if you ridin' the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
I'm anti-uppin'-your-dollars-with-telekinesis
(I done tried everyday, and that shit decreases)
Anti-them-anti-crime-bill-pieces
We need cash and that's the anti-thesis
I'm pro-overthrow of the "Hip-Hop Nation"
Pro-layin'-low-til-I'm-off-probation
Pro-people's-control-of-the-cash-and-corporations
Pro-prophylactic yet pro-creation
Anti-watered-down-drinks-in-fancy-cups
Anti-promoters-who-don't-ante-up
But I'm not anti-thug
I know that power is the most effective anti-drug
I'm pro-Zapatista
Pro-Cuba
Viva!
Pro-la raza sayin' "fuck la migra!"
Policia se asesina
Lemme show you what I mean
I'm anti-republican and democratic
If they self-destruct
That's anti-climactic
Tired of bein' hunted like an antelope
Take the system by the throat
That's the antidote
So I pose a proposition
Take a look, be in support or opposition
Then be proactive proceed with confidence
'Cause you know that you can't change shit by ridin' the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
Ride the fence
Now you don't really wanna
Ride the fence
Now do you really wanna
Ride the fence?
Why would you really wanna
Ride the fence
Don't ride the fence
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Gentle Hour
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Use your mind and take a stand for your beliefs "Take a look around, be for or against But you can't do shit, if you ridin' the fence" or things will never ever change.