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.
They've had chances to make this big city seem so small
Under stage lights, in rooms packed from window to wall
Like the sound of a smile or the distance of song
Only measured in time as the kids sing along
They are the ones who make a difference
Get these people on their feet
They say, "Let us be heard. Hear us out."
Can you hear?
The crowd is calling, "Hey, sing louder now,"
You've got to show them what it means to be alive
Dancing through the night has never been so rock n' roll
You've got a good thing and it's time to let them know
Win their hearts with words unlike the pages left at home
Secrets kept from critics
No one ever wants to know
Can you hear?
The crowd is calling, "Hey, sing louder now,"
You've got to show them what it means to be alive
Dancing through the night has never been so rock n' roll
You've got a good thing and it's time to let them know
Sing louder now
Let's dance the night away
Under stage lights, in rooms packed from window to wall
Like the sound of a smile or the distance of song
Only measured in time as the kids sing along
They are the ones who make a difference
Get these people on their feet
They say, "Let us be heard. Hear us out."
Can you hear?
The crowd is calling, "Hey, sing louder now,"
You've got to show them what it means to be alive
Dancing through the night has never been so rock n' roll
You've got a good thing and it's time to let them know
Win their hearts with words unlike the pages left at home
Secrets kept from critics
No one ever wants to know
Can you hear?
The crowd is calling, "Hey, sing louder now,"
You've got to show them what it means to be alive
Dancing through the night has never been so rock n' roll
You've got a good thing and it's time to let them know
Sing louder now
Let's dance the night away
Lyrics submitted by Stupendous_Man
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Great version of a great song,
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Ehh, I kinda agree, I kind of disagree.
Hometown heroes, national nobodies. The song is about an amazing band that makes the locals go wild, everyone around loves them.
"In rooms packed from window to wall" That means that they are playing a local show so maybe they don't have much room to play, but a ton of people came and squished in just to here the amazing band play.
But because they're just a local band, they're "National Nobodies"