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.
Sheena is a champion of self-reliance
As soon as she needs it she knows just where the knife is
Her fingers aren't so fast anymore
It's been 29 years since she came to these shores
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Send her back to the sea, they cried
But Sheena spat bile 'til they let her lie
She claims she's working for the Lord
But you know what she's looking for
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena's ambition sneers at your routine
And behind that glass she sits, cold
If Sheena was buried, no one would care
She hates everyone, she knows no one
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Send her back across the sea
Back across the sea
As soon as she needs it she knows just where the knife is
Her fingers aren't so fast anymore
It's been 29 years since she came to these shores
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Send her back to the sea, they cried
But Sheena spat bile 'til they let her lie
She claims she's working for the Lord
But you know what she's looking for
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena's ambition sneers at your routine
And behind that glass she sits, cold
If Sheena was buried, no one would care
She hates everyone, she knows no one
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Sheena is a parasite
Send her back across the sea
Back across the sea
Lyrics submitted by handscandy
Sheena Is a Parasite Lyrics as written by Joseph Spurgeon Faris Badwan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it's about modern American punk, and how no one seems to appreciate it as much as they used to (hence the lines 'send her back across the sea' and 'if she was buried, no one would care'). Sheena was obviously from the Ramones song, and the Ramones were one of the greatest triumphs in American punk rock history.
Anyway, that's what I get from it. Cool song.