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.
It's hard enough to notice
Harder still to react
Just a stone's throw from the center of our attention
We all fade to black
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to make you mad
I will take it back
It's hard enough to stomach
But try to look away
Is this a news report or a trailer for a motion picture?
It all fades to gray
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to make you mad
I will take it back
(bridge)
Long lines and warning signs
Think of all the lives saved by plastic knives
It's naive, but make believe
We will never lose if we remove our shoes
It's hard to keep your mouth shut
It's harder still to make noise
But we can't have the perfect 20/20 hindsight
that our fate enjoys
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to try to make you mad
I will take it back
I will take it back
Harder still to react
Just a stone's throw from the center of our attention
We all fade to black
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to make you mad
I will take it back
It's hard enough to stomach
But try to look away
Is this a news report or a trailer for a motion picture?
It all fades to gray
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to make you mad
I will take it back
(bridge)
Long lines and warning signs
Think of all the lives saved by plastic knives
It's naive, but make believe
We will never lose if we remove our shoes
It's hard to keep your mouth shut
It's harder still to make noise
But we can't have the perfect 20/20 hindsight
that our fate enjoys
(chorus)
Save me from a villainous imagination
Deliver me from my friends
If I said something to try to make you mad
I will take it back
I will take it back
Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84, edited by tracy10830
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super rad song
What exactly do you think that message is? Im just wondering...
I think it's sort of a lullaby. It seems to talk about the world in general.
The first part talks about far away problems that are huge but nobody seems to notice or care (ex. starving children, etc.)
The second part talks about the terrible things we can't tear our eyes away from watching (ex. slowing down to watch burning car wrecks) and how surreal some things in life can be.
The last part seems to be about not being able to speak up or stay silent when it matters and that you shouldn't dwell on what you did or didn't do.
The chorus is harder. I think the whole song's about trying to make someone as happier than they could ever realistically be in such a sad world.
Oh, I forgot the part about plastic knives. I think that part's about the measures that are taken to help prevent tragedy that aren't really that effective (long lines and warning signs being things like security checkpoints and wet floor signs).
This is just my interpretation of the song. It's also my favorite song from the album.
I agree with alpha, but is the line "We will never lose if we remove our shoes" talking about airline shoebombers?
I never thought of that, but I think that's right. It seems to go well with the rest of it.
I definitely think this is about our world post 9/11.
"It's hard enough to stomach But try to look away Is this a news report or a trailer for a motion picture?"
These acts of terrorism, the planes crashing into the twin towers, are shown repeatedly on tv...it makes us sick yet we keep watching. It's almost surreal, like some overblown movie trailer rather than real life.
"Long lines and warning signs Think of all the lives saved by plastic knives It's naive, but make believe We will never lose if we remove our shoes"
This verse talks about all the security checkpoints now in places - museums, theme parks, and mostly airports. Sort of a tongue in cheek/sarcastic verse - do we really think taking off our shoes through security, banning certain objects, allowing only "plastic knives" will really save us? Well the points is, it may not but perhaps it gives us a false sense of security.
"Save me from a villanous imagination" to me refers to the sick thoughts and ideas of the terrorists.
I'd disagree to the idea of the "save me" line being about thoughts and ideas of the terrorists, just because of the rest of the chorus. I almost think this song is an attempt at reconciliation - a blanket statement saying "We're not sure what we did wrong, but we don't want to fight about it". In which case, the "Deliver me from my friends" becomes a request to be un-associated with the warmongering western powers.
Just my view though. :)
I wonder whether the 'save me..., deliver me...' stuff is kind of alluding to the kind of ideas in 1984 where people weren't allowed to think treasonous thoughts (villianous imagination) nor to be associated with people that do (from my friends). I read similar stuff in novels by Milan Kundera. People denouncing relationships with dissenters, being blackmailed to apologise for their opinions, that sort of stuff....
If that's right, then perhaps the "If I've said something to make you mad then I'll take it back" is kinda what goes on in 1984.