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.
Let me tell y'all what it's like,
Being male, middle-class and white.
It's a bitch, if you don't believe, listen up to my new CD.
I got shit running thought my brain,
It's so intense that I can't explain.
All alone in my white-boy pain,
Shake your booty while the band complains.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Michael Jackson did,
I'm rockin' the suburbs, except that he was talented.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, I take the checks and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
I'm pissed off, but I'm too polite,
When people break in the McDonald's line.
Mom and Dad you made me so uptight,
I'm gonna cuss on the mic tonight.
I don't know how much I can take,
Girl, give me something I can break.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Quiet Riot did,
I'm rockin' the suburbs, except that they were talented.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, I take the cheques and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
In a haze these days, I pull up to the stop light,
I can feel that something's not right.
I can feel that someone's blasting me with hate,
And bass, sending dirty vibes my way.
Cause my Great, Great, Great, Great, Grandad,
Made someone's Great, Great, Great, Great Grandaddies slaves.
It wasn't my idea, it wasn't my idea, never was my idea.
I just drove to the store for some Preparation-H.
y'all don't know what it's like, being male, middle-class and white [Repeats]
It gets me real pissed off, it makes me want to say,
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say,
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say,
Fuck!
Just like Jon Bon Jovi did, I'm rockin' the suburbs,
Except that he was talented, I'm rockin' the suburbs.
I take the checks and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
These days, yeah-yeah, I'm rockin' the suburbs,
Yeah-yeah, I'm rockin' the suburbs, yeah-yeah.
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say fuck [Repeats]
Being male, middle-class and white.
It's a bitch, if you don't believe, listen up to my new CD.
I got shit running thought my brain,
It's so intense that I can't explain.
All alone in my white-boy pain,
Shake your booty while the band complains.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Michael Jackson did,
I'm rockin' the suburbs, except that he was talented.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, I take the checks and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
I'm pissed off, but I'm too polite,
When people break in the McDonald's line.
Mom and Dad you made me so uptight,
I'm gonna cuss on the mic tonight.
I don't know how much I can take,
Girl, give me something I can break.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Quiet Riot did,
I'm rockin' the suburbs, except that they were talented.
I'm rockin' the suburbs, I take the cheques and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
In a haze these days, I pull up to the stop light,
I can feel that something's not right.
I can feel that someone's blasting me with hate,
And bass, sending dirty vibes my way.
Cause my Great, Great, Great, Great, Grandad,
Made someone's Great, Great, Great, Great Grandaddies slaves.
It wasn't my idea, it wasn't my idea, never was my idea.
I just drove to the store for some Preparation-H.
y'all don't know what it's like, being male, middle-class and white [Repeats]
It gets me real pissed off, it makes me want to say,
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say,
It gets me real pissed off and it makes me want to say,
Fuck!
Just like Jon Bon Jovi did, I'm rockin' the suburbs,
Except that he was talented, I'm rockin' the suburbs.
I take the checks and face the facts,
That some producer with computers fixes all my shitty tracks.
These days, yeah-yeah, I'm rockin' the suburbs,
Yeah-yeah, I'm rockin' the suburbs, yeah-yeah.
You'd better look out, because I'm gonna say fuck [Repeats]
Lyrics submitted by fragmentation
Rockin' the Suburbs Lyrics as written by Ben Folds
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i really like both versions of this song. both versions make really good points about how shallow and mindless people can be. the original is more about the music industry, but this version all though it was intended for a kids movie, I think, is just as smart and witty as the original poking fun and showing what suburbian life really is. which is why i think this version appeals to me more.
I unfortunately live in a suburb, and it's ridiculous. everyone is like robots and they all numb there brains with the tv. which is why I like the line
'let me tell you all what its like. watching idol on a friday night'
I was trying to figure out why this song was redone --- but on this site, this is the "Over the Hedge" mix, so I can only assume that it is in the kiddie movie, "Over the Hedge." It makes sense now --- can't imagine they'd have used the same lyrics...
I really like this version of the song. Not more than the other version, but it's still really good.
But I think some lyrics might be wrong up there.
Some possible corrections: "from downing mews to chevy chase" "Because the timer lights the pond"
I don't think the song was redone just because Over the Hedge was a kids movie, the whole movie was an obvious satire upon american suburbia. The re-written song fits with that theme. But definitely, they couldn't use the original version for the language...yeah.
This song caught me by surprise when I heard it in Over the Hedge. I like the old version! The one with the "I'm gonna say fuck!"s in it! Whatever it takes to make a buck, man. Seriouisly, fuck this song.
Very astute, worsethansex. The only reason an artist would ever think of performing a song in any manner other than the one you love so deeply is not only derived from a monetary motivation, but also part of a contract that said artist has signed with Beelzebub himself which, though labeling the artist a sellout, ensures him a wealth-filled and debauched lifestyle. You have my deepest condolensces that Ben Folds chose to take your precious little fuck words out of a song that only had them in the first place as a satirical commentary on a then-current musical trend.
Yours must be a very hard life, Worsethansex. What else could motivate you to utter, albeit in type, a phrase so lurid and tactless as "fuck this song." What on earth could you be implying? I certainly don't like the sounds of it.
Sorry, just being snarky. Nothing personal. But really, he was doing songs for this film anyway. And just because it's computer animated, based on a comic strip, and not full of swears doesn't make it a 'kiddie move' necessarily. Just a bit of all-ages fun.
If it's all ages, then you still have to regard the younger ages. I'm saying this with respect, I'm tired. xP Anyways, if he had put the 'fuck' version in the movie, it would have been completely contradictory to the song 'Bastard' which is about kids growing up too fast.